Complaint over ex-SDLP man in sex attack case leads to inquiry
NORTHERN Ireland’s local government watchdog is investigating a complaint against a former SDLP councillor who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.
Earlier this month 73-year-old Brian Duffin was given a fourmonth sentence for assaulting the teenager in her own home in June 2016.
Following an application from his defence counsel Duffin was freed on £500 bail pending an appeal of the sentence and conviction.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards said it had received a complaint that “a councillor from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has breached the Councillor’s Code of Conduct”.
It said the complaint is under review.
Duffin was originally co-opted onto the previous Antrim council, before being elected to the newly-formed Antrim and New-
On bail: Brian Duffin
townabbey Borough Council in 2014. He left the SDLP in February of this year ahead of the judgement in his case, and currently sits as an independent.
Duffin attended his first meeting of the borough council since his conviction on Tuesday.
A council spokesman said Duffin is not disqualified from being a councillor and would review the matter following the appeal outcome. FANS of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hoping to relive their May nuptials will soon be able to see their famous wedding outfits up close.
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