Sinn Féin threatens action in power-sharing row

Sinn Féin says it will take legal action after Lisburn Council voted against debating a resolution on whether unionists were discriminating against Catholics.

The council recently voted to give all the top positions to unionists, cutting out Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party.

Most councils in the North operate a form of power-sharing whereby committee chairmens' posts and their deputies are shared out on a cross-community basis.

But the DUP and UUP on Lisburn City Council decided against voluntarily sharing power, cutting out all other parties.

Last night, Sinn Féin tabled a proposal in favour of power-sharing but the council decided not to debate it until September. Sinn Féin is now considering legal action.

It says if the DUP and UUP don't change their minds, the British government should dissolve the council and appoint an administrator instead.