Despite eight nationalist votes in favour, the motion, which needed two thirds of the elected vote to succeed, failed because the six Unionist councillors voted against it.

East Derry SDLP Assemblyman John Dallat, who says he is a personal friend of Reverend David Armstrong, said the six unionists who voted against the motion had "a golden 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.

"I don't know how they can look their constituents in the eye and claim they are representing them."

Mr. Dallat said the "simple gesture would have done much to heal those wounds but clearly nothing has changed in Limavady as far as the Unionists councillors are concerned."

He said: "They continue to act as yesterday's men."

Mr. Dallat said he felt sure that Mr. Armstrong and his family will be in Limavady "and very soon".

"That is for certain, and there are enough people in both communities to ensure that the freedom he receives if much greater than anything bestowed by Limavady Borough Council."

He added: "It truly is a night of shame for those who once again put Limavady on the map for the wrong reason."

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney said the motion's failure was "an example of the bigoted mindset which must be challenged in our society and is why the Executive must lead by example through equality and partnership government".

He said: "For months Sinn Féin has been attempting to ensure that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are able to operate on the basis of partnership and equality. That means unionists accepting sharing power on the basis of equality with nationalists and republicans. Last night's vote in Limavady Council demonstrates in a very clear way the distance that both the DUP and UUP have to travel."