Northern Ireland

Former DUP councillor Ruth Patterson joins TUV

Axed DUP councillor Ruth Patterson has announced she is joining the TUV. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
Axed DUP councillor Ruth Patterson has announced she is joining the TUV. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Axed DUP councillor Ruth Patterson has announced she is joining the TUV. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

FORMER DUP councillor Ruth Patterson last night announced she had joined the TUV.

In a post on Facebook, the TUV welcomed the ex-Belfast City Council representative to the party.

"We are delighted to announce that former Alderman and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Ruth Patterson has joined the Belfast branch of the TUV," it said.

"We are delighted to have Ruth on board with us and I'm sure you'll join us in wishing her all the best."

Ms Patterson was expelled from the DUP in 2015 before becoming an independent unionist on the council.

She was also given a six-month suspension from the council in 2019 after she found to have breached the local government code of conduct. Ms Patterson made allegations of links between a north Belfast football club and a senior republican.

In a short statement on her Facebook page last night, she said: "Folks, letting you all know, I am now a member of the TUV. Join us as we move forward to defeat the real enemy of NI the DUP."