AN ALLIANCE councillor's failed High Court appeal of his suspension for drink-driving cost the public more than £31,000.
Patrick Brown – a representative on Newry, Mourne and Down council – had challenged a six-month suspension from his council role that was imposed by a standards watchdog.
The sanction followed his conviction last year for riding his motorbike with a pillion passenger while under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Brown had referred himself to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, Marie Anderson. In July Mr Brown unsuccessfully appealed the sanction imposed.
The watchdog has since confirmed its legal fees for the High Court appeal topped more than £31,500.
A spokesman said: "Mr Brown's appeal was dismissed on all grounds. The commissioner, in this instance, decided not to pursue costs on the basis of legal advice."
The Alliance Party defended Mr Brown's appeal.
A spokesman said the law entitles anyone dissatisfied with a commissioner's decision to appeal and Mr Brown "did so following receipt of legal advice".
"The amount of money the commissioner expended in defence of her decisions is a matter solely for her. That this office chose to engage junior and senior counsel in such an appeal is not something we can comment on," he said.
Mr Brown instructed Tom Campbell, an Alliance councillor in Antrim and Newtownabbey, to represent him in the legal proceedings.
However, the Alliance spokesman said the party "did not pay for the appeal".
He added: "The judge indicated to the parties on handing down her decision, given the public interest issues and the lack of clarity in relation to the law, she was not minded to award the commissioner any costs.
"The award of costs is entirely within the discretion of the court."
Mr Brown was riding his motorbike with a pillion passenger when he was stopped and breathalysed by police in the early hours of March 5 2017 – just days after the Stormont assembly election in which he was Alliance's candidate for South Down.
His conviction only emerged in January when he issued an apology after being contacted by The Irish News.
At the time the 26-year-old said he wanted to apologise profusely "to all those I have let down", while the Alliance Party said it treats drink-driving "incredibly seriously".
