DUP politician Ruth Patterson has said she plans to see out her term as a Belfast councillor despite revealing she plans to leave politics after being snubbed by the party for the assembly.
The DUP firebrand, who narrowly missed out on an assembly seat at the last election, told The Irish News she was "shocked and surprised" by last week's co-option of Emma Pengelly to the vacant South Belfast seat, given that the former Stormont special adviser "had no affiliation with the constituency".
Mrs Pengelly, who up until last week worked in Peter Robinson's office, replaced Jimmy Spratt in the assembly.
Ms Patterson has been a DUP member for almost 20 years and has served as a councillor for 14 years.
The 59-year-old, who in 2013 was charged over remarks she made online about an imagined republican parade, said she had harboured aspirations to represent South Belfast at Stormont.
"The 3,800 votes at the last election speaks volumes and I'd certainly thought about succeeding Jimmy because it seemed like a natural progression," she said.
"I absolutely would have relished the opportunity to serve the constituency at that level."
Ms Patterson said she planned to see out her three-and-a-half year term as a councillor but she did say that there would be "plenty of soul searching" over the coming weeks, including seeking the advice of her mother.
"I have to say I was shocked and surprised by Emma Pengelly's appointment and I'll be giving my future some thought," she said.
"It was quite overwhelming given that her name had never been mentioned in relation to the seat."
The DUP councillor said she had "no axe to grind" with her party's newest MLA but pointed out that Mrs Pengelly had no previous association with South Belfast.
"I find it odd that all of a sudden she can become an MLA given that she doesn't live in South Belfast and had no affiliation with the constituency," she said.
"I would never have put her name down as Jimmy's successor."
Ms Patterson described herself as a "one party woman" who not consider leaving the DUP.
In December 2013, the Belfast councillor received an informed warning from police over remarks she made on Facebook about a republican march.
Ms Patterson was charged with sending a grossly offensive electronic communication after she commented about an imaginary attack in which marchers, including Sinn Féin figures, were killed. However, after she apologised the prosecution was dropped.
