Belfast Councillors have unanimously supported a motion condemning violence and supporting dialogue, in the wake of a summer fraught with riotous behaviour and rising community tensions.

The motion followed a DUP statement that said the party could not support a Sinn Féin motion condemning an attack on Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir by loyalist protestors at an official ceremony in Woodvale Park last month.

Discussions at Belfast City Council have now led to the unanimous support of a nine-point motion condemning all recent attacks.

Alliance Belfast Councillor Tom Ekin, who proposed the motion, welcomed the news.

He said: "Following a difficult summer, there was a tremendous feeling that there was a need for Belfast Council to show leadership. The decision by the political parties to unanimously support this motion has shown that we can be progressive instead of regressive.

"We are beginning to show the political leadership in Belfast that the public deserves. Belfast Council has delivered a positive message to the City and beyond by agreeing to this motion.

"All Councillors must be expected to maintain and strengthen the civic responsibilities of this Council. It is vitally important that this is demonstrated at all times by every Councillor."

(IT/JP)