Jayda Fransen, the London-based deputy leader of the far right group Britain First, is fully entitled to all her legal rights as she prepares to face charges connected with alleged hate speeches in Belfast last year.
However, it was entirely unacceptable that she was able to be filmed discussing the case while posing in the Lord Mayor's chair at Belfast City Hall and wearing official council robes earlier this week.
It is appropriate that a full civic investigation is taking place into the affair, which an independent unionist councillor, Joelene Bunting, has admitted that she helped to facilitate.
The council needs to ensure that there can be no repetition of the publicity stunt, and there will be a widespread expectation that Ms Bunting will swiftly receive a firm reprimand.
