East Antrim UUP councillor defects to DUP

Cllr McDermott pictured with DUP colleagues Ald Billy Ashe, Cllr Gregg McKeen and the Mayor, Cllr Peter Johnston.

Cllr John McDermott, who was elected to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council last year on a UUP ticket, has announced he has joined the largest party on the local authority.

Cllr McDermott said: “It is a huge privilege to represent the people of Carrick and I will continue that role within the Democratic Unionist Party.

“I have worked closely with DUP colleagues since I was first elected, and have appreciated the collective approach taken by the party, working together as a team right across the council area. The DUP offers a strategy and vision which I share and will play my part in being a positive unionist voice here in Carrick.”

The retired police officer was welcomed to the DUP by party leader Arlene Foster.

Mrs Foster said: “I am delighted that John has decided to join the Democratic Unionist Party. He will be a very valuable part of the DUP team on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

“John has a track record of public service, whether through years of service as a police officer, or more recently as an elected representative. I know that he will be very warmly welcomed by everyone in the party and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr Gregg McKeen, DUP group leader on the council, said: “I’m delighted that John is now part of the DUP group on council. He is a dedicated representative and will add to an already strong DUP team.

“I know he has already worked well with colleagues and his long track record of service to the public means he will be a great asset to the party.” Cllr McDermott, who praised “the super human effort” of NHS staff after a cancer operation earlier this year (read here), is now listed as a DUP representative on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council website.

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.