A Belfast City Council committee approved the Armed Forces Covenant on Tuesday night with 10 votes in favour and eight against. Unionists and Alliance members supported the decision.

The covenant provides pledges to assist veterans adjusting to civilian life. Nationalists opposed adoption at the committee stage, bypassing full council debate.

SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite called the process undemocratic and underhanded. He predicted nationalists would call in the decision to block it.

DUP alderman James Lawlor, the council's armed forces champion, defended the vote. He stated the committee has delegated powers and the approach is reasonable.

Lawlor pointed to a council policy allowing Irish street signs if 15% of residents support them. He noted nationalists backed that threshold despite two-thirds opposition on an east Belfast street earlier this month, where the bid failed by one vote.

Lawlor emphasised support for veterans and forces community in Belfast to ensure they face no discrimination due to service.

Veterans’ Commissioner David Johnstone welcomed the approval. He described the covenant as a promise for fair treatment of those who serve and their families, without preferential treatment or disadvantage from service.