Controversial councillor Jolene Bunting loses her seat in Belfast

Controversial politician Jolene Bunting has insisted she will “not be deterred” after losing her seat on Belfast City Council.
By Rebeccca Black
Published 5th May 2019, 13:47 BST
Updated 5th May 2019, 17:23 BST
PACEMAKER BELFAST 30/01/2019 . Jolene Bunting. Photo by Colm lenaghan/Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER BELFAST 30/01/2019 . Jolene Bunting. Photo by Colm lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER BELFAST 30/01/2019 . Jolene Bunting. Photo by Colm lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

The independent unionist polled just 351 votes in the first stage of the count in the Court DEA on Saturday, and failed to attract enough transfers to be elected.

Ms Bunting was initially elected as a TUV representative in 2014, before leaving the party in 2017.

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Ms Bunting went on to become associated with Britain First, although she has insisted she was never a member.

She reacted to her poor showing at the count for Belfast City Council by insisting she will “not be deterred”.

She posted on social media: “While I am obviously disappointed with today’s results, I’m not deterred.

“I will continue to fight for my children’s future. I will never surrender.”

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Ms Bunting received a four-month interim suspension from council last year from the Local Government Commissioner for Standards as it investigated 14 complaints which had been made against her.

These included comments she made on a video published in December 2017 outside the Belfast Islamic Centre and her participation in a Britain First rally in Belfast in August 2017.

Related topics:BelfastBelfast City CouncilGovernment