THREE former councillors are to face hearings by a standards watchdog probing complaints made during their time as elected representatives.
Ex-Belfast councillors Jolene Bunting and Declan Boyle and former Antrim and Newtownabbey councillor Brian Duffin remain under investigation despite no longer holding their council roles.
A fourth person, DUP Ards and North Down councillor Colin Kennedy – who remains an elected representative – is also facing an investigation hearing.
Their names have been listed online by the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards under 'forthcoming hearings and adjudications'.
The commissioner continues to investigate complaints into alleged breaches of the code of conduct even if a councillor resigns or is not re-elected.
If an ex-councillor is found to be in breach, some potential sanctions may not be possible. It is believed the sanction of a disqualification would apply to any future period as a councillor, but a suspension would apply to the previous mandate.
Independent unionist Jolene Bunting, who caused controversy over her involvement with the far-right group Britain First, lost her seat in last year's council elections.
She is accused of bringing the council or her elected role into disrepute, improperly using her position and council resources, and not properly registering interests.
Declan Boyle was one of three councillors who quit the SDLP but failed to be re-elected as independents.
He is accused not properly registering or declaring interests, improperly using his position, as well as not complying with requests as part of the watchdog's investigations.
Brian Duffin, who resigned after losing an appeal against a conviction for sexually assaulting a teenage girl, is accused of bringing the council or his elected role into disrepute.
Colin Kennedy is accused of breaching the code in relation to 'behaviour towards other people' and bringing the council or his elected role into disrepute.
Dates, times and venues for hearings have yet to be confirmed.