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A Derry City and Strabane District councillor is stepping down due to differences of opinion with her party over Stormont's handling of Covid-19.

Dr Anne McCloskey said she was "reluctantly" resigning due to her views "differing considerably" with that of pro-life party ´¡´Ç²Ô³Ùú.

The GP, who also stood down as deputy leader almost two weeks ago, said she will remain a party member.

Dr McCloskey is one of only two ´¡´Ç²Ô³Ùú councillors in all of Northern Ireland.

Speaking to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Foyle, Dr McCloskey said: "Over the last months my views on the government response to the coronavirus crisis has differed considerably from ´¡´Ç²Ô³Ùú's party policy.

"I understand that as a political party you need to have a cohesive approach, party leader Peadar (Tóibín) was saying things differently to what I was saying.

"All of that really wasn't useful," she added.

´¡´Ç²Ô³Ùú leader Peadar Tóibín said that the party will hold a selection convention in the coming weeks to co-opt a successor to Dr McCloskey.

Mr Tóibín said Dr McCloskey "held enormous respect in Irish politics" and was "not afraid to question and challenge the status quo".

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that it has received notification from Dr McCloskey of her intention to resign as the ´¡´Ç²Ô³Ùú councillor for the Ballyarnett area.

The spokesperson said the council would be informed by the chief electoral officer of the nominee for the vacant seat.