THE DUP's Jim Wells has called for an Alliance councillor to resign after being convicted of drink-driving.
Patrick Brown, a representative on Newry, Mourne and Down council, pleaded guilty in court after being caught riding his motorbike while under the influence of alcohol last year.
The 25-year-old this week issued an apology and said he had referred himself to the local government standards watchdog.
The former assembly election candidate for South Down said he wanted to apologise "to all those I have let down" and warn others "never to take such a risk".
But Mr Wells, an MLA in the same constituency, said Mr Brown's position was "clearly untenable and he should resign his seat".
He pointed out how Trevor Beatty, a DUP councillor in Randalstown, resigned last year after admitting a charge of drink-driving.
Mr Wells said: "Councillor Brown holds a position of responsibility. Drink-driving is an extremely serious offence. Unfortunately in South Down we have had far too many young men who have been killed as a result of drink-driving incidents.
"He must set a very clear example to others in the community that drink-driving is beyond the pale for anyone, but particularly someone who is a public representative."
Mr Wells also questioned why the councillor had only issued an apology around six months after his conviction.
"Councillor Brown was convicted in a Belfast court last July but made no public comment about this until The Irish News contacted him," he said.
"Councillor Brown also stated that he was 'using the matter to warn other people never to take such a risk'. Many will ask – would Councillor Brown have used the matter to warn others had his conviction not been made public?
"The public expect high standards from their representatives. Councillor Brown's position is clearly untenable and he should resign his seat.
"The Alliance Party should also show how seriously it takes drink-driving by taking strong action against him."
The incident happened outside Belfast on March 5 2017, just days after the Stormont election in which Mr Brown was a candidate for Alliance.
Mr Brown appeared in July at Laganside courthouse where he was fined and disqualified from driving for a year. This was reduced by three months in December after he completed a drink-drive offenders' course.
Alliance said it treats drink-driving "incredibly seriously" and Mr Brown received "further disciplinary sanctions" from the party.
"Patrick has fully acknowledged the gravity of the mistake he has made, and expressed his distress and full remorse," a spokesman said.
The Office of the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards said they were notified about the incident in November and the case has been referred for investigation.
