Jolene Bunting's election posters around the Shankill area of west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

A BELFAST councillor has been criticised for election poster slogans which have been branded the "politics of hate".

Independent unionist Jolene Bunting, who is seeking re-election next month, has put up campaign posters featuring messages about subjects including immigration and prosecutions of soldiers over Troubles killings.

They include "Put veterans before immigrants!" and "Local homes for local people!"

Other signs say "You cannot be socialist and loyalist!" and "Stop the witch hunt of Operation Banner veterans!"

Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie criticised Ms Bunting, saying it was "disappointing but not surprising" to see her "again plumbing the depths".

"This is a blatant and disgraceful attempt to inject the politics of hate into this election – something which has been typical of Jolene Bunting's time on Belfast City Council," he said.

"This must be opposed by all right-minded citizens."

Micky Murray, an Alliance Party candidate in Botanic, also branded the posters on immigrants and local homes as "disgusting behaviour from an elected representative".

However, Ms Bunting dismissed Sinn Féin's criticism on Facebook, accusing the party of "hypocrisy" and referencing IRA violence during the Troubles.

"Bombs and bullets will murder and maim, but words will never harm you," the Court area councillor wrote.

Last week a High Court judge dismissed an appeal by Ms Bunting against receiving a four-month interim suspension from a council standards watchdog.

The Local Government Commissioner for Standards took the step in September pending the outcome of an investigation into 14 complaints against her.

They included comments she made on a video outside Belfast Islamic Centre, and her participation at a rally in Belfast by far-right group Britain First.

Another complaint related to an online post featuring a cartoon character dressed in an Irish tricolour and wearing a hat bearing the phrase, "Please be patient I have Famine".

In the court challenge, it was contended that as a political representative Ms Bunting has enhanced freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights.

But Mr Justice Maguire found the watchdog's action was merited, ruling that Ms Bunting's public alignment with anti-Islamic speeches went beyond enhanced legal protection for political expression.