Northern Ireland

Former DUP councillor Tom Smith will contest local government election as an independent

Former DUP councillor Tom Smith plans to stand as an independent
Former DUP councillor Tom Smith plans to stand as an independent Former DUP councillor Tom Smith plans to stand as an independent

A FORMER DUP councillor who resigned from the party this week after being deselected plans to run as an independent in the forthcoming local government elections.

Tom Smith broke party ranks last year when he voted in favour of a motion to light up Ards Town Hall in rainbow colours to mark LGBT Awareness Week.

He was also critical of the DUP's decision to select convicted drink driver Thomas Hogg, a former mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, to stand in May's council elections.

In a statement, Mr Smith said he had received many messages of support since announced his deselection.

"I have spoken to a number of people from Donaghadee, Groomsport and Bangor who have urged me to run again for council," he said.

"Getting elected as an independent is never easy but I honestly believe we have an opportunity to deliver a shock to the big parties who think they have the election already sewn up."