Unionist in court for online posting

Senior members of the Democratic Unionist Party, including a minister in the power-sharing executive, crowded into the public gallery at a Belfast court as a party colleague was accused of posting an offensive Facebook message.

Edwin Poots, who is in charge of the health department at Stormont, former finance minister Sammy Wilson, and Gavin Robinson, the former Belfast lord mayor, were among those who stood with supporters when it was confirmed Ruth Patterson would be pleading not guilty.

She was charged with sending a message that was deemed to be grossly offensive, indecent, or obscene or of a menacing character via public electronic communications network last month.