Police Ombudsman Ms Nuala O'Loan has been called in to investigate claims an officer accused an Antrim councillor of being a loyalist terrorist, it emerged today.
A detective constable allegedly told a court in the town he believed Mr Ken Wilkinson was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
Mr Wilkinson, a Progressive Unionist Party councillor, categorically denies being in the outlawed paramilitary organisation.
His solicitors contacted Mrs O'Loan's office claiming he has been unfairly treated by police who rely on him to held defuse sectarian tensions.
Mr Wilkinson said: "I have been used by police who are only too glad to seek my help when there's riots."
"If they believe I'm in the UVF why do they sit with me in community safety meetings?" he asked.
The row flared during a hearing at Antrim Magistrates last week when Mr Wilkinson was convicted of disorderly behaviour following an incident in August 2002.
The PUP man had been called to a house in Antrim's Stiles Estate being searched by police. A row developed with officers which led to Mr Wilkinson being arrested.
In court the constable allegedly told how he refused to give Mr Wilkinson his name during the stand off because he believed him to be a UVF member.
"I have never denied being a spokesman for the PUP, and they provide political analysis to the UVF," said Mr Wilkinson.
"But if police have intelligence to say I'm a member then let then prove it."
PA