Unionists, SDLP refuse to nominate deputy mayor

The Sinn Fein lord mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey will have to perform all civic duties on his own for the rest of his year of office after both unionists and the SDLP refused to nominate a deputy.

Belfast City Council voted last night to postpone the election of a deputy lord mayor until the council's annual general meeting in June when Mr Maskey is due to finish his term.