Paul Doherty, a West Belfast councillor, resigned from the SDLP on Saturday. He cited the party's abstention during a Belfast City Council vote on Thursday evening.

The council held a specially convened meeting at City Hall. Councillors approved a DUP motion to reconsider closing a planning enforcement investigation. The investigation concerned a statue of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, unveiled in May last year beside the Republican Garden on Gardenmore Road in Twinbrook.

The motion passed with 27 votes in favour, 22 against, and three no votes from Green Party members. SDLP councillors did not participate in the vote.

In his resignation statement, Doherty stated he missed the meeting due to a community issue. He indicated he would have voted against the DUP motion.

People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins challenged Doherty's reasons. Collins noted that all SDLP councillors discussed the matter beforehand and had chances to voice views. He pointed out that all 60 councillors received email notifications four days prior, and the meeting details appeared on the Belfast City Council website four days in advance.

Doherty defended his resignation when contacted. He described the vote as a matter of principle for someone from West Belfast, where the Bobby Sands statue holds significance. He noted his nine years in the party and his ongoing community work amid local crises.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna commented on Monday. She described a failed SDLP amendment that opposed the DUP motion. Hanna called the proceedings a sectarian dispute.