BREAKING: Paul Doherty Quits SDLP Amid Controversy Over Bobby Sands Statue Vote in West Belfast

Paul Doherty has resigned as a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), confirming his departure amid internal party tensions over a recent vote concerning a proposed statue of Bobby Sands in west Belfast.

The resignation follows a decision by Belfast City Council to reconsider the placement of the statue after a narrow vote in favour of proceeding sparked significant backlash. Doherty, who served as deputy lord mayor of Belfast, confirmed his exit from the SDLP in a statement released to local media, citing fundamental disagreements with the party’s direction on the issue.

The controversy centres on a motion passed by Belfast City Council in March 2024 to erect a statue of Bobby Sands, the IRA hunger striker who died in 1981 after 66 days without food. The vote passed by a slim margin, with councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and the Alliance Party supporting the measure, while unionist parties opposed it.

Shortly after the vote, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) raised objections, arguing the statue would exacerbate sectarian divisions in the city. In response, the council agreed to revisit the decision, stating it would “reconsider” the proposal following further consultation.

Chris Donnelly, a former Sinn Féin adviser and political commentator, warned that the internal dissent within nationalist parties over the statue vote could signal deeper fractures, particularly as Sinn Féin faces scrutiny over its handling of legacy issues related to the Troubles.

Critics from civil society groups, including People Before Profit, have accused the SDLP of enabling sectarian discourse by not taking a firmer stance against the DUP’s opposition, describing the party’s response as indicative of political cowardice.

The SDLP has not issued a formal response to Doherty’s resignation. Party leadership declined to comment on individual departures when contacted by Belfast Media Group, reiterating its commitment to internal democratic processes.

Belfast City Council has confirmed that no final decision has been made on the statue’s installation and that further discussions will grab place in the coming weeks, though no specific date for a revisit has been scheduled.