Northern Ireland

DUP's Luke Poots to quit politics

Luke Poots with his father Edwin Poots
Luke Poots with his father Edwin Poots Luke Poots with his father Edwin Poots

A DUP councillor who was reported to a standards watchdog last year is to quit politics.

Luke Poots, whose father Edwin is a former Stormont minister, has not put his name forward for this year’s local government elections.

It is understood he will step down as a councillor in Lisburn and Castlereagh later this year.

He did not attend a selection meeting in Lisburn last week and is understood to be turning his back on a political career.

DUP candidates were due to be ratified by the party on Saturday.

Mr Poots was reported to the standards watchdog by former Green Party leader Stephen Agnew last year over an alleged conflict of interest.

The standards commissioner said it was examining whether the code of conduct has been broken after it emerged that Mr Poots chaired and voted in planning meetings which were lobbied by his DUP MLA father.

Mr Poots denied any conflict of interest.

Last summer Mr Poots faced more questions over why a planning application to build three houses to replace his home was made in his mother’s maiden name.

Mr Poots could not be contacted for comment.