THE DUP's Luke Poots is continuing to face a council watchdog probe over planning issues.
The former Lisburn and Castlereagh councillor, whose father is DUP MLA Edwin Poots, is still under investigation by the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards.
It follows a complaint to the watchdog last year over an alleged conflict of interest for voting in favour of planning decisions lobbied for by his father.
Mr Poots insisted at the time that he had "done everything by the book", but announced he would no longer take part in committee decisions when his father made a representation.
Last summer Mr Poots also faced questions over why a planning application to build three houses to replace his home was made in his mother's maiden name.
A standards commissioner spokesman yesterday confirmed an investigation is still "ongoing".
He said it is not listed on the 'hearings' section of its website because the matter is still being examined.
Mr Poots did not stand for re-election in May's council poll, saying he "struggled" with the decision but "opportunities have arisen for me outside politics".
The standards commissioner's office previously confirmed that investigations "continue to go ahead as normal even if councillors state they won't be seeking re-election".
However, some sanctions may not be able to be imposed should Mr Poots be found in breach of the code of conduct for councillors.
It is believed a disqualification would apply to any future period as a council representative, but a suspension would have applied to the previous mandate.
Mr Poots has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
