The 32-County Sovereignty Movement member of Omagh District Council last night refused to resign his council seat, despite being asked to do so, in the wake of the Omagh Bomb atrocity.
In a heated debate at Omagh District Council offices, Mr Pat Mackey refused to resign after councillors had narrowly voted for him to do so.
A Sinn Fein proposal - "Before public confidence in Omagh District Council is totally eroded, will Cllr Mackey do the honourable thing and tender his resignation from this council as he is no longer a member of Sinn Fein, and stand in a by-election" - was passed by five votes with none against. Those who voted for the motion were Sinn Fein council members; the 12 who abstained included the SDLP, DUP, Ulster Unionist and four others including Mr Mackey.