Unionists politicians have called on the Lord Mayor of Belfast to publicly apologise after snubbing an Army cadet at an awards event - or resign.
Sinn Fein's Niall O Donnghaile said he left halfway through the Duke of Edinburgh awards ceremony earlier this week to avoid meeting the 14-year-old girl and raising any 'sensitivities'.
However, his actions have led to 21 unionist councillors requesting a meeting with the Mayor to explain his actions for the 'gross offence'. Their statement emphasised that any failure on O Donnghaile's part to apologise immediately "would render his position untenable and he should resign".
Mr O Donnghaile said he would be happy to meet the cadet and her family to explain his decision.
"At the last minute I was informed that one of the awards was to be presented to a representative of the Army cadet force," Mr O Donnghaile told the Belfast Telegraph.
"In order to avoid any unnecessary sensitivities to either party, it was arranged for the outgoing chairman of the organisation to present some of the certificates alongside me.
"I take my responsibilities as being a mayor for all very seriously."