Tyrone councillor suspended from office because of Facebook post

A Dungannon councillor has been suspended from Mid Ulster District Council for three months.

The sanction related to comments made on social media by DUP Councillor Clement Cuthbertson about a children’s sports tournament organised in Coalisland in 2022 to commemorate a local man.

Adjudication Commissioner Ian Gordon, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, found that the Facebook post contained inaccurate, unacceptable and offensive comments about a deceased man.

The post also referenced all elected representatives in the Mid Ulster area and referred to a local business.

When he was informed about the mistake, Cllr Cuthbertson took the post down.

However, when he was given the opportunity to express regret about his actions, Adjudication Commissioner Gordon found the councillor took no steps to clarify his post or apologise to the man’s family or fellow councillors.

The Adjudication Commissioner said he was satisfied the councillor was in breach of his obligations under the code of conduct for councillors to show respect and consideration for others.

He also found that his actions had breached the code of conduct by bringing his role as councillor into disrepute.

The period of suspension will end on July 11.