Northern Ireland

Watchdog issued Alliance drink-drive councillor with 'penal endorsement'

Alliance councillor Patrick Brown. Picture by Matt Bohill
Alliance councillor Patrick Brown. Picture by Matt Bohill Alliance councillor Patrick Brown. Picture by Matt Bohill

A WATCHDOG warned a councillor convicted of drink-driving he could face legal action for contempt following claims he was breaching a suspension order.

Alliance's Patrick Brown – a Newry, Mourne and Down council representative – was given a six-month suspension from his council role due to a drink-driving conviction.

His sanction ended last month, but it's emerged the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards had earlier issued Mr Brown with a 'penal endorsement'.

It followed complaints alleging that Mr Brown was breaching his suspension by continuing to act as a councillor – claims Mr Brown denied.

The issue came to light in correspondence sent to DUP MLA Jim Wells.

He had written to standards commissioner Marie Anderson to complain that Mr Brown was still being described as a councillor and was continuing to make political representations despite his suspension.

Mr Wells cited local newspaper articles, Alliance's website and a post on Mr Brown's Facebook page.

In her response, Ms Anderson said the matters raised "were brought to my attention some weeks ago".

"I wrote to Mr Brown seeking an explanation as natural justice requires this. He denied acting as a councillor," she wrote in late December.

"I have no power to extend the suspension. However, based on the legal advice, I have served on him a copy of my decision with a 'penal endorsement'.

"The effect of this is to warn Mr Brown that any breach of the order for suspension is potentially contempt and I may proceed to certify that matter to the High Court for the offence of contempt."

Suspended councillors are excluded from all activities associated with the position of councillor, such as attending council meetings.

A spokesman for the commissioner said the matter is not being pursued further.

Mr Wells told The Irish News he was "impressed by how seriously Marie Anderson took the complaints made by myself and others" and welcomed the commissioner treating drink-driving "very seriously".

Alliance accused the DUP of "smear campaigns" ahead of May's council election, saying the matter was investigated and "no breach of the suspension found and Councillor Brown has returned to his role".

"It appears the focus of the DUP is on smear campaigns and misguided politically motivated attacks ahead of May's council election," an Alliance spokesman said.

"The DUP's seeming obsession with Councillor Patrick Brown is further evidence they are currently under-employed."

Last week DUP councillor Thomas Hogg was given a five-month council suspension for a drink-driving conviction.

The sanction does not prevent the former Antrim and Newtownabbey mayor from contesting May's council elections.

Mr Brown's suspension followed his conviction in 2017 for riding his motorbike with a pillion passenger while under the influence of alcohol.

He had referred himself to the standards commissioner, but launched an unsuccessful appeal against the sanction imposed. The appeal cost the public purse more than £31,500 in relation to the watchdog's legal fees.

Mr Brown's conviction only emerged in January last year when he issued an apology after being contacted by The Irish News.

The 26-year-old said he wanted to apologise profusely "to all those I have let down", while Alliance said it treats drink-driving "incredibly seriously".