Antrim man takes council seat vacated by Cochrane-Watson

The Ulster Unionist Party has chosen Antrim man Jim Montgomery to replace Adrian Cochrane-Watson on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Jul 2015, 06:46 BST

Mr Cochrane-Watson stepped down from his council role after being chosen to take the Stormont seat vacated by recently elected South Antrim MP Danny Kinahan.

Mr Montgomery, who has worked as a civil servant for 25 years, said he is “delighted to be given the opportunity to serve the people.”

Welcoming his co-option, Alderman Mark Cosgrove, the Ulster Unionist Antrim and Newtownabbey Council Group Leader, said: “Jim has been involved in politics for a considerable period and I am delighted to welcome him into our 12-strong council team.

“I am sure that working as part of a strong Ulster Unionist team with fellow Antrim Town Councillor Drew Ritchie, our new MLA Adrian Cochrane-Watson and our new MP Danny Kinahan, he will form part of a formidable team and he will hit the ground running in his new role.”