A Unionist Councillor for Belfast has refused to comment on allegations he called a Sinn Fein colleague who has one hand “a one armed bandit”.

The UUP’s Councillor David Browne is reported to have used the slur against Councillor Ciaran Beattie’s disability during a meeting at Belfast City Hall on Friday.

Sinn Fein group leader Councillor Jim McVeigh has called on Cllr Browne to apologise.

“The vile comments spoken against my colleague’s disability by the UUP Cllr, Davey Browne, are disgraceful and should be withdrawn immediately,” said Cllr McVeigh in a statement.

“In a Belfast City Council meeting today, Cllr Davey Brown referred to Cllr Beattie as ‘a one armed bandit’ - directed at the fact that Cllr Beattie has only one hand.

“Someone should tell the UUP that this is the 21st Century and that such comments are highly inappropriate.

“This type of abuse can rightly be deemed a hate incident and has no place in our society nevermind being spoken by an elected representative.

“Sinn Fein will be reporting these comments to the Local Government Ombudsman.”

Cllr Browne said he was “not talking to anybody” about the accusation when contacted for comment.