Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson has claimed that there are elements within Invest NI and the University of Ulster "actively working against the interests of Derry".

The Foyle MLA said: "Both INI and the University of Ulster have a responsibility to promote the city in line with the Executive’s Programme for government to tackle regional disparities.

"However, concerns have been expressed to me that Derry is consistently overlooked by Invest NI and the University of Ulster when it comes to the promotion of certain development opportunities.

"In light of these concerns, I have written to both organisations asking them for a list of visits they have organised over the last year in relation to Life Sciences, Research and Development and Intelligent Systems and asking how many of those visits came to the North West."

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Ms Anderson continued: "We have within the Magee and Coleraine universities and in the C-TRIC Research and Innovation centre at Altnagelvin, world-class facilities which are at the cutting edge of developments in Life Sciences, Research and Development and Intelligent Systems. However, there appears to be elements within Invest NI and the University of Ulster who have a vested interest in ensuring these facilities do not prosper and grow.

"These are the kinds of developments which can help enrich our city, helping Magee increase both its undergraduate and PHD student numbers as well as ensuring, through C-TRIC, that academic developments can be translated into business and commercial opportunities.

"Those working to develop the University in Derry should be supported and encouraged so that it can reach its full potential rather than be obstructed by those with an apparent anti-Derry agenda," she added.

NS