Plans to light up Belfast City Hall for Safe Abortion Day to not go ahead, BBC understands

Plans to light up Belfast City Hall to mark Safe Abortion Day will not go ahead on Monday after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) used a council procedure to challenge the decision.

The landmark was due to be lit up green, after a request by the National Women's Council of Ireland and a motion brought to the council by the Alliance Party.

That motion was opposed by unionist parties and anti-abortion organisations.

Belfast City Council said they are now seeking legal opinion on "the merits" of the call-in procedure used by the DUP, but BBC News NI understands because the process will not be completed by Monday, the lighting of the hall will be delayed.

A "call-in" can be requested by 15% of councillors, if they believe a decision was not properly considered - known as procedural grounds - or that it would disproportionately affect a section of the district, also known as community impact grounds.

The council can then ask a lawyer to examine the decision.

Belfast City Council said the call-in by the DUP was received "both procedural grounds and disproportionate community impact grounds".

The illumination was initially approved through the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in August, with the decision ratified by the council in September.

The DUP councillors then brought forward a proposal to stop the illumination, which was defeated.

An open letter, signed by a number of Christian and anti-abortion groups including Precious Life, was also sent to the council, calling on them to reject the plans to light up Belfast City Hall.

A private citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, also lodged a lawsuit against the action.