A UNIONIST councillor has said it is no longer appropriate for the union flag to be flown from Belfast City Hall on Prince Andrew's birthday.
Former PUP councillor John Kyle said the inclusion of the Duke of York's birthday among designated days should be reconsidered as the royal faces sexual assault allegations.
The duke faces a civil action by American Virginia Giuffre, who claims he abused her in 2001 while she was under the age of 18.
Ms Giuffre said she was a victim of sex trafficking by Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted high-profile sex offender who died in a New York jail in 2019.
The duke denies the claims and his lawyers have said the complaint against him should be dismissed due to a damages settlement signed by Ms Giuffre in 2009 agreeing not to sue anyone connected with Epstein. However, a judge in New York has ruled the case against the duke can continue.
SDLP councillor Dónal Lyons called for Belfast City Hall not to fly the union flag next month to mark the birthday.
The February 19 date is one of the designated days agreed to fly the flag following a vote in 2012 to end its permanent display at Belfast City Hall.
The vote to end flying the flag 365 days a year sparked months of protests by loyalists, some of which turned violent.
"With the renewed and long overdue focus and on men’s violence and abuse against women and girls, honouring the Duke of York in this way would send an atrocious message about our priorities," Mr Lyons said.
Mr Kyle, who quit the PUP last month over differences with the unionist party over the Northern Ireland Protocol, told The Irish News that in light of recent developments he would support the flag not being flown on February 19.
"My view is that since he has been relieved of his royal responsibilities and titles, I think it's appropriate that the flying of the flag on his birthday is suspended until the outcome of any case," Mr Kyle said.
Meanwhile, DUP deputy lord mayor Tom Haire said he believes that date should remain as a designated day "until the government directs otherwise".
UUP councillor Jim Rodgers said the issue "needs to be looked at because of the allegations", but added: "To me it's only right and proper that you are considered innocent until proven guilty."