A meeting of Magherafelt Council had to be suspended for a short time last night after the Chairman of Magherafelt Protestant Coalition threatened to ‘seize control of the council’ and ‘sack’ all councillors during a heated outburst.
Will Lennox also shouted that Sinn Féin were ‘sectarian, immature pieces of s**t,’ as Sinn Féin members along with Council Chief Executive, John McLaughlin and council officers vacated the chamber.
Mr Lennox made the comments following a discussion over Christmas lights for Castledawson, during which council members heard that Sinn Féin had arranged to meet with members of Lower Castledawson Community Association (LCCA) next week.
During his rant, Mr Lennox said: “As a member of the public, I am evoking my right under Article 61 of Magna Carta to speak during a public meeting.
“I will be bringing charges against councillor McPeake and every one of his councillors who are sectarian, immature pieces of s**t.
“Sinn Fein, IRA are full of s**t again,” shouted Mr Lennox.
Despite calls for him to be quiet, Mr Lennox continued shouting: “I have the right to speak during a council meeting, this is not North Korea but part of the United Kingdom and it is the council’s duty to act in the interest of the community as a whole, not just Catholic or Protestant or Hindu but as a whole- the people that pay your wages.
“This council is not acting within the law and under Article 61 of Magna Carta, I seize control of this council and tell all council members that they are sacked.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves,” said Mr Lennox before storming out.
The council meeting resumed ten minutes later but tensions between the two largest parties, Sinn Féin and DUP remained hostile as the row over a flags agreement and Christmas lights continued.
Councillors heard that a meeting next week would be ‘too late’ for the community group, who have to apply to Department of Environment and Northern Ireland Electricity for approval for Christmas lights by Friday (October 31.)
A meeting between three members of the LCCA, who were present and Sinn Féin councillors, Sean McPeake and Peter Bateson took place immediately after the council meeting.
However when contacted this morning, the community group declined to comment on what had been discussed.
For more on this story see next week’s paper.
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