John Hussey, a barrister and DUP councillor, has been tipped as the next Lord Mayor of Belfast, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Mr Hussey is one of several Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) members being considered for the role, which is elected annually by Belfast City Council.

A failure by the DUP council group to agree a nominee for the position means that the issue has been referred back to party leader Arlene Foster.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Mr Hussey is “seen as a safe pair of hands by party headquarters”.

According to the Bar’s website, Mr Hussey has particular interest in civil litigation, specifically the judicial review, chancery, personal injury, commercial, insolvency and employment practise areas.