A DUP councillor is facing a standards watchdog complaint after being accused by an arson attack victim of telling him "you have brought this upon yourself".
It is the latest complaint over Facebook activity by John Carson, who was earlier this week suspended from his role for three months after a "misogynistic" comment about Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill.
Raymond Ferguson's home in Ballymena was targeted several times over the summer including his car being set alight, windows smashed and graffiti sprayed at the property.
Read more: DUP councillor John Carson suspended for three months over 'misogynistic' Michelle O'Neill remark
Following the arson in August, Mr Carson posted a message on Facebook condemning the attack "without reservation" and urged anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
But Mr Ferguson claimed that after he replied identifying himself as the victim, Mr Carson sent him a "nasty" private message.
He alleged Mr Carson wrote that "by your behaviour you have brought this upon yourself by the low actions you have done".
"I in no way condone what has happened, l condemn it completely, but l will not allow you to play the innocent victim either."
Mr Ferguson told Belfast Live that he felt "sick with anxiety".
The 52-year-old said: "Having a councillor, somebody you would go to for help, for him to do that I was really shocked by it.
"For him to say that I deserved it, that he wasn't going to let me be a victim, what did he mean by that?
"It really affected me. Talk about kicking somebody when they are down."
Mr Ferguson said the attacks on his home began after he made a complaint to the Housing Executive, and after he gave a statement to police about a separate unrelated matter.
He also said he has been the subject of malicious rumours falsely accusing him of being a sex offender.
Mr Ferguson said he has made complaints about Mr Carson's alleged comments both to the DUP and the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards.
Mr Carson did not respond to requests for a comment.
The DUP was asked about the allegations and whether it has received a complaint about Mr Carson.
A party spokesman said: "The party does not give a running commentary on any aspect of any of its disciplinary and complaints procedures and is not in a position to publicly confirm whether complaints have been received unless and until internal due processes have been completed."
However, after the DUP was approached by Belfast Live, Mr Ferguson received a response from party chief executive Timothy Johnston.
In an email, Mr Johnston said he was sorry to learn about Mr Ferguson's home and car being targeted.
He added: "Clearly from your email you indicate that you have not experienced the sort of help and service expected from a public representative.
"I will ensure that your email is brought to the attention of our party officers given the allegations contained within your email."
It emerges after Mr Carson was suspended for three months by the council standards watchdog over a Facebook comment in which he said Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill would be "put back in her kennel".
He posted the remark about the Sinn Féin vice-president in April last year during the DUP's leadership contest between Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Edwin Poots.
Acting Commissioner Ian Gordon decided Mr Carson had breached the councillors' code of conduct, saying the remark was an unreasonable personal attack with a "misogynistic" tone.
Mr Carson has no previous record of breaching the code of conduct, but it is not the first time he has faced criticism over his online comments.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was accused of spreading "dangerous misinformation" in his reasons for refusing a vaccine.
He also caused controversy for claiming the pandemic was God's judgement for abortion law reforms and legalising same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Police said they were aware of ongoing issues of criminal damage at a property in the Riverdale area of Ballymena.
Officers received a report of graffiti on June 16 and damage to a car door on July 11.
Criminal damage was reported on August 23 in which windows were smashed and petrol was poured on a car and set alight.
It was also reported that a stone was thrown at the property on September 3.
A police sergeant said: "Our enquiries into all of these incidents remain ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything or who may have any footage that could assist, to contact police on 101 quoting reference RM22052051."
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