A tale of two cities

The news comes just a week after the city - and Sinn Fein mayor Paul Fleming - celebrated making the shortlist of the final four locations battling for the title.

Despite the investment and prestige the competition would bring, the party's leader on Derry City Council said that she was concerned about the content of the bid, which is going up against those from Sheffield, Norwich and Birmingham.

2013 will also mark the 400th anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster and the links between the city and London - which could be covered in the bid.

Maeve McLaughlin said that while she is not opposing the bid, she feels the bid needs to address "the tens of thousands of nationalists and republicans in this city and region who do not recognise themselves as part of the UK."

The four cities have until the end of May to submit final bids before the winner is announced in June.

DUP MP for East Londonderry and Waterside councillor Gregory Campbell said that infighting could scupper the city's chances.

"This has the potential to be very damaging if Sinn Fein persists and would put the other cities in a very advantageous position," he said.

"All the other cities will be politically united and this will put them in a better position. Sinn Fein are complaining now a week later, but the clue was in the name - UK City of Culture and the applications were submitted weeks and months ago.

"Winning would undoubtedly be advantageous in terms of jobs and tourism and for anything to be gained the city must be seen to be acting cohesively.

"Sinn Fein need to resolve these internal problems or yet again Londonderry will be a loser, not a winner."