THE Alliance Party has been urged to explain what "disciplinary sanctions" were applied to a drink-driving councillor – after his council confirmed it was not notified of any action being taken.
Newry, Mourne and Down council said it "would expect to be notified" if a party had suspended or expelled a councillor, but "no correspondence" was received from Alliance following Patrick Brown's conviction.
Mr Brown last week lost a High Court appeal against a six-month suspension from his elected role imposed by a standards watchdog following his conviction for drink-driving.
The 26-year-old was fined and received a driving ban in July last year for riding his motorbike with a pillion passenger while under the influence of alcohol.
He referred himself in November to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, who in April imposed a six-month suspension.
The suspension has been reinstated after the High Court dismissed Mr Brown's appeal.
His conviction only emerged in January when he issued an apology after being contacted by The Irish News.
At the time the Alliance Party said it takes drink-driving "incredibly seriously". It said its disciplinary committee considered the matter and "further disciplinary sanctions were applied", but did not say what the sanctions were.
It is understood if a party suspended one of its councillors, expelled them or had the party whip withdrawn, their council would be notified because it would affect d'Hondt procedures.
But a council spokeswoman said: "Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has had no correspondence with the Alliance Party following councillor Brown's conviction last year."
"If a councillor is suspended or expelled from a political party, the council would expect to be notified of this matter. This will ensure that council keeps its records up to date," she added.
The DUP's Jim Wells questioned why the Alliance Party has been "so reticent" in explaining its disciplinary procedures.
He compared it to DUP Antrim and Newtownabbey councillor Thomas Hogg, who was publicly suspended from the party in May following a drink-driving conviction.
"The sanctimonious Alliance Party are always lecturing others about proper procedure. It looks like with Patrick Brown, he has got a slap on the wrist with a wet lettuce leaf," the South Down MLA said.
An Alliance spokesman said: "Alliance disciplinary proceedings are an internal matter and confidential. Therefore it would be inappropriate to comment any further."
