A standards commissioner from Scotland was brought in to mediate in a dispute between two Northern Ireland councillors, The Irish News reports.

During a year-long investigation by the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, Ian Gordon was brought in from overseas.

Following the process, UUP councillor Jim Dillon apologised to DUP councillor Andrew Ewing for “offensive and inappropriate language” he used at last year’s Lisburn and Castlereagh City Business Awards.

Mr Gordon was paid £1,287 in fees, and a further £797.01 was spent on his travel, subsistence and accommodation.

Northern Ireland’s standards commissioner, Marie Anderson, excluded herself from the process as she had overseen the investigation prior to her appointment as standards commissioner.

Mr Gordon, appointed as acting commissioner, was the convener of the Standards Commission for Scotland until January 2017.