Former UUP leader Doug Beattie resigns from party

He has cited a “toxic atmosphere” within the party

Former UUP leader Doug Beattie has resigned from the party, citing “a toxic atmosphere”.

The MLA for Upper Bann has said he will continue to serve as a unionist independent and has posted a statement on social media addressed to current party leader Jon Burrows where he wrote: “It has become clear that my continued membership of the Ulster Unionist Party is no longer tenable.”

He said, following Mr Burrows’ election as leader, “MLAs were increasingly marginalised, ignored, isolated and discredited.

“Your leadership style became dismissive and overly centralised, empowering individuals to actively undermine elected representatives. In the absence of any coherent policy direction from the leadership, a toxic atmosphere has been allowed to flourish within the party.”

In the statement Mr Beattie said “an insidious campaign of rumour and gossip” was being waged against him “regarding selections, party relationships, financial matters, and employment issues.”

It said: “This came to a head last Thursday when you rang me to say that you intended to reopen a disciplinary matter against me. Something that had already been dealt with by the Party Management Board four years previously and had received considerable media attention at the time. This felt vindictive and a deliberate attempt to drive me from the party.

“As I step away from the Ulster Unionist Party, I remain committed to many of the policies I helped develop and write, particularly regarding the Northern Ireland criminal justice system and the legacy of our past. Areas of party policy shaped during my ten years as the party’s Justice spokesperson.”

A UUP spokesperson said: “The Ulster Unionist Party received Doug Beattie’s resignation today. We thank Doug for his many years of service to his country and to the party, and we wish him well.

“The party does not accept the characterisation of recent events set out in Mr Beattie’s letter.

“The Party Management Board met on Thursday evening to consider serious concerns about Mr Beattie’s conduct and judgement. The Board unanimously agreed a course of action, which was due to be communicated to Mr Beattie by the party leader on Monday. Mr Beattie’s resignation has overtaken that process.

“On Councillor Kate Evans, who Mr Beattie’s letter references, we again thank Kate for her many years of service to the party and to the people of Craigavon. The Party Leader, Jon Burrows MLA, reached out to Kate personally to wish her well and offered to meet at any time. We wish her and her family well.

“The party’s focus remains on serving the people of Northern Ireland, on delivering for them, and on the work ahead.”

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