Mark Ovens: UUP councillor suspended for not registering interests

The watchdog said although councillors must register their interests within 28 days of their appointment, Ovens did not submit his form until November 2025 – more than two years after he became a councillor.

In a statement it added that while Ovens regularly made declarations of interest during meetings over his special adviser role, “having done so he failed to leave the meeting, as required by the code”.

The watchdog continued: “There were other occasions where the councillor did not declare an interest on similar issues, and one occasion where he remained for a confidential legal briefing which conflicted with his role.”

In submissions the hearing was told Ovens “did not speak or vote on the relevant matters” during the meetings in question, and his role as a special adviser “was openly known to members of the council”.

It was also noted the councillor had shown “cooperation with the adjudication process” and an “early acceptance of the breaches”.

The watchdog also received complaints that criticisms Ovens had made of the council had breached the “respect principle”.

However, the commissioner determined the claims would not be taken forward for adjudication as it was the role of councillors “to bring scrutiny to council actions”.