A ceremony conferring the Freedom of the Borough of Castlereagh on Democratic Unionist deputy leader Peter Robinson was denounced today as a waste of ratepayers' money.
Alliance councillor Michael Long confirmed his party's four councillors would not be attending a dinner tonight conferring the award on the East Belfast MP, claiming the cost of the event could have been better spent.
"I am totally opposed to this event to honour one of the council's own members when cuts in council services are taking place," he said.
"Thousands of pounds have been cut from Castlereagh's economic development and arts budgets.
"So you have to ask: is there any justification for spending thousands of pounds worth of ratepayers' money on what is effectively a backslapping exercise for the DUP while these cuts are taking place?" he said.
Mr Robinson, who has been a councillor in Castlereagh since 1977 and has held several posts on the council, joins soccer legend George Best as a recipient of the freedom of Castlereagh.
PA