By Rebecca Black, PA
A DUP councillor and former Mayor has been charged with sexual offences involving a child.
31 year-old Thomas Hogg 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.
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.
The DUP said Thomas Hogg has resigned from the party with immediate effect.
A party spokesman said Mr Hogg had been suspended by the party "pending the outcome of a court case" prior to his resignation.
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