Doug Beattie has ruled out running in the Ulster Unionist Party leadership contest but insists his successor will have his full support.
The Upper Bann MLA’s statement ending speculation that he may seek re-election as leader came just 48 hours after he resigned, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the UUP’s party officers.
The UUP is due to elect its new leader at an extraordinary meeting on September 14.
Mr Beattie resigned after clashing with the party’s ruling executive over the selection of a replacement for Robin Swann in the assembly after the former health minister was elected to Westminster last month.
A senior UUP source described what has unfolded over recent weeks as “farcical”, with the party’s assembly team understood to be at odds with the majority of executive members who are said to have forced the leader out.
UUP chair Jill Macauley on Wednesday wrote to the party’s 16 constituency associations insisting Mr Beattie’s resignation was “unforced” and not requested by the party officers.
She said rejected the departing leader’s claim that there were irreconcilable differences with ruling executive members and said it was part of a “disappointing and inaccurate narrative”.
Ms Macauley said the party and its officers were “fully committed to our positive and inclusive brand of unionism”.
With options for a successor to Mr Beattie limited, it has been speculated that Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who led the party for five years up to 2017, could assume the role for a second time.
Slugger O’Toole deputy editor David McCann described the former UTV news anchor and Strangford MLA as the “logical choice”.
“He has experience in the job and the name recognition to easily take on the role of leader,” the Irish News columnist said.
“He’s the current health minister, but Naomi Long is a leader and is currently in the executive, so that is not a big barrier. Mike 2.0 could well be more about preparing the ground for a few years for someone to take the leadership on longer term.”
It has also been speculated that deputy leader Robbie Butler could run on a joint ticket with East Antrim MLA John Stewart but it is unclear who would take the top job.
None of the prospective candidates has yet to comment on the leadership contest.
In his statement quelling speculation that he may run again, Mr Beattie said stepping down as UUP leader was “one of the hardest decisions” he had made but that it necessary “for the good of the party”.
He said that throughout his tenure as leader he had “always been honest and open”.
“I have not always got things right, but I have accepted responsibility for my failings and I expect others to do similar,” he said.
“It would simply not be credible, or right, for me to put my name forward to be re-elected as the party leader. I must accept that while a large number would like me to stay as leader there is an equal number that may not.”
The former British army captain said he hoped his successor could continue to modernise the UUP.
