Barrister Martin Canny, who appeared for Chairman Des McFadden and colleagues Neal Doherty, Derek Reid and Aldyth Roulston, said there had been consent by all of the parties for an interim injunction restraining voting staying in place until further order of the court.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons told barrister Martin Canny, counsel for McFadden, Neal Doherty, Derek Reid and Aldyth Roulston, he would “with great reluctance” grant an injunction on the eve of the meeting at which a vote was to be taken.