Councillor Nicholas Trimble has refused to be drawn on reports that he may not stand for re-election to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in May 2027.

When contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Trimble would only say that he did not wish to comment at this stage.

Trimble is an elected member of the council, a former leader of its Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) group, and a past mayor of the city.

The UUP was also approached for comment on the claims, which originated from a council source.

The party has recently been under scrutiny following the resignation of former leader Doug Beattie amid a fallout with current leader John Burrows.

Trimble’s entry on the council’s register of interests lists his employment as an Assembly Policy Research Officer for Robbie Butler MLA.