Replica guns at march condemned

The DUP objected to the replica arms on the march

Belfast City Council has passed a resolution "deploring" a Sinn Fein-sponsored collusion parade in the city centre last month.

The DUP motion was passed by 15 votes to 14.

Nelson McCausland of the DUP said the rally featured replica weapons and bands named after leading IRA figures.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said the March for Truth involved street theatre and had not depicted IRA members but "a variety of combatants".

He said this included the police and loyalist paramilitaries to illustrate collusion.

Councillor McCausland said Belfast city centre is shared space and welcomed support for his motion that in future such parades should be banned by the police and the parades commission.

"I've never seen a parade in the centre of Belfast as appalling as that parade in my life," he said.

"They were carrying weapons, whether they were real weapons or replica weapons, I don't know."

The SDLP described the row as a "sham fight" between the DUP and Sinn Fein given the two parties are sharing power at Stormont.