He is a former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and served 15 years in prison after being convicted of murdering a police officer.
[2][3] In 1974 (aged 17) Butler confessed to, and was convicted of, the murder of 50-year-old reserve Royal Ulster Constabulary officer John Rodgers.
Butler had a served as a Councillor for Lisburn City Council from 1997 until 2011 and was a member of their Strategic Policy, Planning and Finance Committees.
[8] In October 2023, he called on Sinn Féin and the SDLP to not stand a candidate in Lagan Valley in the 2024 general election.
He won the SDLP seat previously held by Patricia Lewsley and subsequently Marietta Farrell.