Ex-DUP mayor quits party after being charged with child sexual offences
By News Northern Ireland, , , ,

A former DUP mayor has quit the party after being charged with sexual offences involving a child.

Thomas Hogg (pictured), 31, is set to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court later this month to face the charges.

He has been charged with sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite children between 13 and 16 to engage in sexual activity.

The DUP said it had suspended Mr Hogg on Wednesday morning “pending the outcome of a court case”.

A party spokesman said Mr Hogg subsequently resigned from the party with immediate effect.

Mr Hogg served as mayor of Newtownabbey from 2014-15.

He was awarded an MBE in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to local government.

Copyright (c) PA Media Ltd. 2019, All Rights Reserved.