Mr Templeton has been suspended from the DUP

A member of a district policing partnership has been sacked after being convicted of harassing a gay colleague.

The Policing Board found that Arthur Templeton was "unfit" to discharge the functions as a member of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership and ordered that he should be removed immediately.

Mr Templeton was fined �250 after being found guilty of harassing fellow member of the Newtownabbey DPP, John Blair.

The harassment happened during local government electioneering.

Speaking after the board's decision on Thursday, chairman Desmond Rea said it had considered the case carefully and "within the parameters of the law".

"It was essential that the board dealt with this case in a considered way and one that ensured that the rights of all are protected; and public confidence in the ability of the district policing partnerships to fully meet its important responsibilities are sustained," he said.

"The decision taken by the board today was measured and informed and the policy now being put in place as a result of this case will ensure that any future cases will be dealt with in an effective and equitable way."

Community policing

Following his conviction, Mr Templeton was suspended from the Democratic Unionist Party.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board handles some of the most sensitive issues facing policing and holds PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and his senior officers to account

District policing partnerships were set up across Northern Ireland under reforms initiated by a commission headed by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and implemented by the government.