Belfast deputy lord mayor Paul Doherty has left the SDLP. He announced the decision on social media Saturday. Doherty will continue as an independent councillor for west Belfast.

The resignation follows a Belfast City Council meeting Thursday. A DUP motion passed with 27 votes in favour, 22 against, and three abstentions. The motion called for reconsideration of a decision to close a planning enforcement investigation into a statue of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in Twinbrook, west Belfast.

SDLP councillors did not vote in the meeting. Doherty stated he was absent due to a community issue but would have opposed the motion.

The statue stands on public land beside a republican memorial garden in Twinbrook. It was erected without planning permission. Council officials had determined no further action was needed.

Doherty said the statue holds significance for the west Belfast community. He supports the right of people to remember Sands in this manner.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said the party's councillors developed a collective position on the statue. She noted they faced intimidation after the meeting. Hanna stated the party supported Doherty but respects his choice to prioritise his family.