Councillor Paul Doherty has left the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) following a Belfast City Council vote on the erection of a Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook.
SDLP members of the council abstained from the DUP motion and have since faced ‘an unacceptable level of intimidation’, Claire Hanna said in a statement on Saturday.
Mr Doherty is currently the deputy lord mayor of Belfast and was first elected to the Black Mountain DEA in 2023, taking the seat from People Before Profit.
In a statement on social media, he said: “I have left the SDLP with immediate effect. My focus will remain on the ground in my community, representing the people of West Belfast.
“For clarity, I was not at the hastily arranged Belfast City Council meeting this week – contrary to some posts directed at me. I was dealing with an emerging issue in the community and therefore did not have the opportunity to vote against the DUP motion – which I would have done. Anyone suggesting otherwise is simply trying to score cheap political points.
“As someone from West Belfast, I know the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook holds real significance for people in our community and beyond. People should be entitled to remember him in this way, and I fully support that. Shame on the DUP and others for turning this into a political stunt.
“My focus remains, as always – on the people of my community. If anyone would like to engage further on this directly, you know where I am.”
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said “Paul has been a valued representative of the SDLP over many years.”
“The SDLP representatives on Belfast City Council collectively developed their position on the Bobby Sands statue. Following the motion, our councillors were subjected to an unacceptable level of intimidation.
“While the party has sought to support Paul throughout this period, he has taken the decision to step down, and we respect his decision to put his family first.
“The SDLP is proud to be committed and consistent on equality, fairness and respectful debate. There is no place for intimidation in our politics or our society.
“We thank Paul for his service and wish him and his family every best wish for the future,” she added.
He will now serve the remainder of the term as an independent councillor.
