Sinn Féin councillor's suspension lifted

Sinn Féin has lifted a suspension on Belfast City Councillor JJ Magee following an investigation by the Local Government Commissioner for Standards.

In a statement, the party said the council group whip had been restored to Magee after the commission said there was no evidence that he had failed to comply with the local government code.

Magee had been suspended "without prejudice" in November following an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor.

Magee had denied all allegations made against him.

In a statement, the party said his membership has been fully restored with immediate effect.

"The investigation by the Local Government Commissioner for Standards concluded that in light of its own considerations and decisions by both the PSNI and Social Services to take no action, there is no evidence that Cllr Magee failed to comply with the Local Government Code," said Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney.

In a statement, Magee said the "whole ordeal was deeply stressful".

"I am relieved that this process has come to an end. The last few months have been an absolute nightmare for me and my family."