A former IRA leader is to unveil a painting of republican hunger strikers in Belfast City Hall today.

Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who was its ‘officer commanding’ in the Maze during the 1981 protest, is to unveil the artwork which will hang in the Sinn Fein party room on the ground floor of the building. Hunger striker families are also expected to attend the event at 1pm.

Equality impact assessments looking at the Union flag and the levels of British military memorabilia are currently being carried out in the City Hall.

Its findings are expected to be presented to the council next month.