Language gets rich in Council chamber

Councillor O'Dowd made a motion at Monday night's meeting for the council to express concern over a Bill of Rights proposal.

He said the proposal by the British Government ignored advice from the Bill of Rights Forum and Human Rights Commission.

Mr O'Dowd said a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland with social and economic protections would provide a better shared and equal future for all.

The motion was supported by SDLP Councillors Michael McGoldrick and Dolores Kelly. Deputy Mayor Councillor Philip Weir (DUP) suggested an amendment. He said: "I am not convinced we need a bill of rights. "It would be better to have a UK wide bill of rights with a specific chapter for Northern Ireland."

Councillor Kelly responded by referring to sections of Northern Ireland society which she claimed had experienced discrimination in the past, she added: "What is there to fear from rights and equality."

Councillor Jones said: "There is this belief that the Protestant people are in the ascendancy over the poor Catholic people - that is tummy rot and just not true. "I came from a working class Protestant background and was discriminated for it and had to go through the courts to prove it.

"I will not listen to the absolute rubbish out of the mouths of Councillors Kelly and O'Dowd. This council needs to address the issues on the ground and not deal with party political propaganda." Councillor O'Dowd rose to respond to the points made during the debate. As he began, Councillor Jones said: "You're an insulting tw*t."

At which point Councillor O'Dowd called a point of order and said: "I'm not having that kind of language used."

Councillor Jones then said: "Well sit down and shut up." The Mayor asked Mr Jones to withdraw his remark three times, however, he refused each request. Mr O'Dowd said: "I will not enter into this pantomime with Councillor Jones.

"It says more about him than this council that he has to resort to insults.

"If he had allowed me to respond and would have had his eyes, ears and mind opened, because I have no problem accepting his argument.

"Maybe not as far as he would have it, but working class Protestant people were badly treated."

The Mayor Councillor Meta Crozier called for a vote, but Councillor Brian McKeown asked if Mr Jones could take part after he had been asked to leave. The chief executive said the council could go into recess and the police could be called.

Mr O’Dowd said he was reluctant for the council to take that course of action.

Councillor Jones is looking for the headlines,” he said. “Members of my party have been removed in the past but I’m a defender of the democratic process.

"I believe the debating chamber to be sacred and no outside forces should come into it to deal with matters.

“There are other ways for the council to deal with this.” Mr Jones was allowed to continue in the meeting and a recorded vote on the motion was taken.

The council split with unionist members voting for Mr Weir’s amended motion. The motion was carried with eight nationalist members voting against.

The Mayor said Councillor Jones's behaviour would be discussed at the policy and resources committee which met on Tuesday night.