SDLP's Morgan elected Belfast's Lord Mayor

SDLP councillor Martin Morgan was tonight elected Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Mr Morgan, who represents the north of the city, beat off the challenge of two Unionist candidates – Bob Stoker of the Ulster Unionist Party and Robin Newton of the Democratic Unionist Party – who received 14 votes and 10 votes respectively.

The three votes of the Moderate Alliance party gave Mr Morgan the 26 votes needed to win an overall majority.

He is the second SDLP councillor to hold the post of first citizen of the city. His colleague Alban Maginness became the first Nationalist Lord Mayor of the city in 1997.