Ccouncillor Ruth Patterson thrown out of the DUP

BELFAST City Councillor Ruth Patterson has been expelled from the DUP for “bringing the party into disrepute”.

It is understood she was shown the door after she reacted angrily to the party decision to appoint Emma Pengelly as a replacement to outgoing south Belfast MLA Jimmy Spratt.

Ms Patterson said she had been a party councillor for 20 years and should have been considered.

She has right to appeal the decision.

But insiders say she is likely to be snapped up by either UKIP or Jim Allister’s TUV.

At the last Assembly elections she polled over 3,000 first preference votes.