Frank McCoubrey

Frank McCoubrey is a leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group and a member of Belfast City Council, representing the Court area.

McCoubrey was first elected to the Council in 1997 as a member of the Ulster Democratic Party and was eventually elected as deputy mayor in 2000, with the votes of the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party councillors. McCoubrey's term of office was soon marked by controversy after he wore his official robes and chain of office to a 'Loyalist Day of Culture' held on the Lower Shankill on 19th August,2000, where he shared a stage with Ulster Defence Association members Johnny Adair and Michael Stone at the height of a loyalist feud between that group and the Ulster Volunteer Force. Calls were made for McCoubrey to resign, although he claimed that he did not know Adair and Stone would be there and that he was not expecting the gun-fire in the paramilitary show of strength that ended the night.