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A four-month suspension against a Belfast councillor has been lifted pending the outcome of an investigation.

In September, Independent Councillor Jolene Bunting was suspended while an investigation into complaints made against her was carried out.

They related to Islam, her association with Britain First, and a meme that she shared online.

Between December 2017 and August 2018 there were 14 complaints made and an investigation was launched by the Commissioner for Standards.

Her full hearing has been pushed back until January, and it was confirmed yesterday that as such her suspension had been lifted.

A council spokesman said: “Belfast City Council can confirm that, with effect from today, Councillor Bunting has resumed her full duties as a Councillor.”

Reacting to the news, Councillor Bunting claimed that the initial suspension was a ‘complete overreaction’.

She told Belfast Live: “I’m pleased to be back to my normal duties and I’m pleased to be able to represent the community again in the council.

“I’ve been doing all the constituency work that I can, even through the suspension.

“I don’t know if I can say I’m happy about it because I do still have the case looming over my head and it’s not going to go away any time soon.

“I believe that the people who have put complaints in against me simply don’t like my politics.

“I am entitled to my politics no matter who likes it or who doesn’t like it.

“In regards to the complaints that were made, I should have been more careful. But at the same time I don’t believe that it warranted a suspension.

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