The Democratic Unionist Party have dismissed an invite to this year's Belfast Saint Patrick's Day parade as a stunt.

The organisers of Belfast's controversial Saint Patrick's Day parade have invited the entire membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly to lead the parade on 17 March.

The move follows the refusal by Belfast City Council to fund the carnival because a majority on the council felt it was not representative of both the Protestant and Catholic communities.

'Republican celebration'

Unionists on the council said the parade on previous years has been little more than a Republican celebration.

But the organisers have said they want to make the parade an inclusive event.

Organiser Catriona Ruane said: "This is a cultural celebration and we have invited the politicians because they are the people the people have voted for.

"What we are doing is moving into a new era and what politicians are part and parcel of that new era and we are proud of the fact that there is change coming and we want to work with those the people who are bringing about that change."

'Fig leaf of embarrassment'

However it is unlikely any DUP members will take up the invitation.

DUP Assemblyman Sammy Wilson said: "If they really wanted to be inclusive, they would have made it a genuine Saint Patrick's Day event.

"The very fact that they have encouraged people to fly the Irish tri-colour at the event is an indication that they don't intend it to be inclusive.

"This is a kind of fig-leaf to cover their embarrassment now on the whole issue because they have been caught out in seeking funds to promote again a republican agenda on Saint Patrick's Day."

He added: "I suspect it was a rather tongue in cheek invitation.

"I have made my position clear. I am not really into celebrating Saint Patrick but this is nothing to do with celebrating Saint Patrick of course, this is all to do with celebrating Irish republicanism, and I don't think that the organisers really expect any self-respecting unionist to join with them."