Political row over Bobby Sands statue erected without planning permission

The statue of Bobby Sands was unveiled last year in west Belfast. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

A vote by Belfast City councillors to reconsider a decision to allow a statue of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in west Belfast to remain in place, despite not having planning permission, has sparked a political row.

The Bobby Sands Trust accused unionists of “hypocrisy” following the vote on Thursday night.