The Larne Lough councillor Mark McKinty has tendered his resignation.

An Ulster Unionist Party councillor has quit his role ahead of a sanction he expects to receive this week for a driving incident earlier in July.

Mark McKinty is a Larne Lough councillor on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The 31-year-old is due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates' Court court on Thursday on a drink driving charge.

"He stated that this was unacceptable for a public representative and damaged trust in democracy," said a spokesperson for the party.

"He made clear that he was genuinely sorry to all those who he had let down."

The spokesperson said a process will now start to fill the position being vacated by Mr McKinty on Mid and East Antrim Borough Borough Council.

A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have been notified that Councillor Mark McKinty is to resign his position on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

"We are unable to comment further at this stage."

Belfast Telegraph