Bunting to face hearing over possible expulsion

CONTROVERSIAL far right Belfast councillor Jolene Bunting is to face a hearing to decide whether she should be suspended from her role.

The Local Government Commissioner for Standards confirmed that a hearing would be held on Tuesday, September 4.

The hearing will determine whether Ms Bunting should be suspended or partially suspended while investigations into 14 complaints about her conduct are completed.

Ms Bunting is currently under investigation for breaches of the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors.

She is being investigated for her behaviour towards other people, bringing the council into disrepute, her responsibility under equality legalisation, her use of her position as councillor and use of council resources.

Ms Bunting was originally elected as TUV councillor for the Court ward in 2014, but currently serves as an independent councillor.

She has attracted controversy due to her links to the far right group Britain First, appearing with leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen at rallies in Belfast.

Golding and Fransen are currently being prosecuted over speeches delivered in Belfast. Fransen caused a stir in January when she gave a speech from the Lord Mayor’s Chair at Belfast City Hall, while on a tour of the facility with Ms Bunting.

Following a falling out she has been disowned by the extremist group.

Ms Bunting then said on social media she would be contacting her legal team over claims made by Golding.

Ms Bunting also faced criticism after a tweet in May mentioning the Famine in Ireland featuring a cartoon frog meme popular amongst rightwing groups and trolls.