A former councillor facing a watchdog probe is having his legal bill covered by a council despite losing his seat in last month's elections.
Mervyn Rea is the subject of a Local Government Commissioner for Standards investigation over alleged breaches of the councillors' code of conduct.
The Ulster Unionist failed last month to be re-elected in the Airport area of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
However, the watchdog probe is continuing and his legal representation is still being covered by the local authority's insurance policy.
According to the standards commissioner's website, the complaint against Mr Rea relates to rules under the code about 'use of position' and 'pecuniary interest'.
Mr Rea strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Asked about the costs, the UUP veteran yesterday confirmed the council's "insurance is covering it".
"It all started when I was a councillor and we have got to see it through, so that's where we are," he said.
The former councillor added: "I did nothing wrong. I did it by the book at the time."
Antrim and Newtownabbey council was last night unable to say how much its insurance covering such cases costs ratepayers.
In a statement a council spokeswoman said: "Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's insurance policy will cover the costs of representation of a councillor in respect of an investigation by the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards."
