DUP Councillor for Ards and North Down Borough Council Tom Smith has criticised his party for putting forward convicted drink driver Thomas Hogg in the forthcoming local elections.
Former Antrim and Newtownabbey mayor Thomas Hogg admitted to drink driving in May last year. He was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £250. Cllr Hogg was also suspended from the DUP for five months. That period has now been spent.
He was found by a watchdog to have ‘breached the local government code of conduct which states that councillors must not bring their position as councillor, or of their council into disrepute.’
Cllr Hogg apologised for the incident.
DUP Cllr Tom Smith said he was ‘disgusted’ at the party for selecting Cllr Hogg.
I am disgusted that the party has selected this guy to run as a candidate in the Council elections. He is a convicted drunk driver currently suspended from being a Councillor. I know many in the party feel the same but will they speak out? They should!
I am disgusted that the party has selected this guy to run as a candidate in the Council elections. He is a convicted drunk driver currently suspended from being a Councillor. I know many in the party feel the same but will they speak out? They should! https://t.co/OVGI1c1D1g
— Tom Smith (@TomSmithDUP) February 17, 2019