A DUP councillor has faced criticism over an old social media post which appears to joke about domestic violence.
Peter Johnston, a former mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, had an image on Instagram of a woman who appears to have a nosebleed.
It included the caption: "'Talking when she shoulda been listening' #women #thatwilllearnher."
Read more: UUP defends candidate's attendance at performance of song with UVF lyrics
The DUP and Mr Johnston did not respond to requests for a comment about the social media post, which was shared on his Instagram and Twitter accounts in December 2012.
The Instagram post was later removed following questions from Belfast Live.
Mr Johnston, a councillor in the Knockagh area, is seeking re-election in the upcoming council poll on May 18.
A son-in-law of DUP MP Paul Girvan, he was first elected in 2018 in a by-election for the Carrick Castle area.
Joanne Barnes, CEO of Nexus, a charity which aims to break the cycle of sexual abuse and abusive relationships, said victims would be "rightly hurt and offended by such language".
She told Belfast Live: "We are always saddened and disappointed to see comments like this on and offline.
"The post in question is historic but an example of views that exist across society and it's important these views are challenged and called out as inappropriate.
"This type of narrative perpetuates abusive relationships and is one of the reasons we need strong and deliverable Domestic and Sexual Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategies.
"People who are experiencing abusive relationships are rightly hurt and offended by such language. Nexus will be working hard, as part of our new strategy, to engage with government and influence society so such views become a thing of the past."
Last year, a UUP council election candidate was criticised by Women's Aid for giving a court a reference for a man jailed for battering his ex-wife.
Brian Kerr, who is standing for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, said his letter about Thompson Beckett's community work gave "statements of facts, not statements of support".
But Noelle Collins, area manager for Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid, said the letter "most definitely should not have been put in".
The post on Mr Johnston's Instagram is the latest occasion in which politicians have faced criticism over online activity.
Earlier this week a Sinn Féin candidate in Lisburn apologised "unreservedly" for sharing an offensive tweet "in error".
Aisling Flynn retweeted an account that shared photographs of Rangers FC fans accompanied by a caption using a sectarian slur.
Last month, a DUP Belfast candidate apologised over sharing controversial posts on Twitter expressing opposition to immigration.
Bradley Ferguson, who is standing in the Lisnasharragh area, shared a tweet which said "diversity is not always a strength" as it could mean "fewer white people, fewer Englishmen and fewer Christians".
In a statement Mr Ferguson apologised for any offence caused over his retweets, adding: "I recognise that they are neither in-keeping with party policy or indeed, reflect the standards that I present in this election."
READ NEXT:
Alliance's Naomi Long defends party response to drink-driving controversy
Sinn Fein council election candidate facing 'fraud' complaint over nomination papers
Northern Ireland council election 2023: Dates, candidates, where to vote and more you need to know
Northern Ireland council election: List of all the candidates in the May 2023 poll
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
