The councillor at the centre of a selection row that led to Doug Beattie’s resignation as Ulster Unionist leader has quit the party.
Darryl Wilson, who sits on Causeway Coast and Glens Council, will serve as an independent after ending his 12 year association with the party now led for the second time by Mike Nesbitt.
Mr Beattie had supported Mr Wilson’s bid to replace Robin Swann as MLA for North Antrim after the former health minister won the South Antrim Westminster seat in July.
But the North Antrim constituency association, with the support of a majority of party officers, instead backed Ballymena councillor Colin Crawford, who now sits in Stormont.
The move prompted Mr Beattie’s sudden resignation as leader.
Some six months on, Mr Wilson has decided to quit the UUP, describing his decision in an Instagram post as “a thoughtful choice after a challenging yet inspiring 2024″.
“I’m grateful for the friendships and experiences gained and remain a proud unionist, committed to Northern Ireland’s place in the UK and to fair, inclusive politics,” he said.
“I’ll continue serving as an independent member of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, working hard for my constituents and exploring exciting new paths.”
A spokesperson for the UUP, which now has 53 local government representatives, said it was disappointed by Mr Wilson’s decision but wished him well.
