THE Mayor of Derry, Mr Richard Dallas, has begun a legal challenge to the city council's decision to strip him of mayoral trappings because he took part in a loyalist road block. Solicitors acting for Mr Dallas (27) lodged an application in the High Court in Belfast yesterday seeking a judicial review of the decision.
The court papers claimed the decision to remove his privileges was an abuse of power, unreasonable, and contrary to natural justice.
The Ulster Unionist Party mayor is also seeking an injunction to restrain the council from imposing any sanctions on him and an order directing the council to restore the facilities which were withdrawn.
Mr Dallas is also seeking a declaration that the council's decision was in breach of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 as it discriminated against him.
The papers will now go before a judge to decide whether or not to grant leave for a judicial review. If leave is granted, it is expected that the case will be heard later this month.