Unionist politicians have been branded "bigots" after blocking the freedom of the borough being awarded to a former Presbyterian churchman who had been forced out of his hometown for shaking hands with a Catholic priest.

In 1984 Presbyterian Minister David Armstrong was forced to leave Limavady, Co. Derry amid Loyalist death threats after he offered Christmas goodwill to the local Catholic priest. He subsequently left the church and is now a Church of Ireland minister in Cork.

Earlier this week Nationalists attempted to have the freedom of the borough awarded to the former Presbyterian minister.

However, the award failed after Unionists refused to support the motion.

Accusing Unionists of blatant bigotry, the SDLP's John Dallat said, "Unionists had the opportunity to lift the dark cloud of bigotry which has hung over Limavady for the last 25 years, but yet again they failed and failed badly.

"Clearly nothing has changed in Limavady as far as the unionist councilors are concerned. They continue to act as yesterday's men and any claim that they have moderated their bigotry is pie in the sky."