Doug Beattie Announces Departure from Ulster Unionist Party
Doug Beattie has expressed that he is "saddened and a little bit angry" following his resignation from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
On Sunday, Beattie declared that his continued membership was no longer "tenable," prompting his decision to step away from the party.
The former party leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Upper Bann faced the possibility of deselection by his constituency association ahead of the forthcoming assembly election.
In a letter addressed to party leader Jon Burrows on Sunday, Beattie conveyed that he was resigning with immediate effect and with "genuine sadness."
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show on Monday, Beattie revealed that an "insidious element within the party" had been persistently briefing against him concerning selections and other matters.
A UUP spokesperson confirmed receipt of his resignation on Sunday and extended thanks for "his many years of service to his country and to the party."
Beattie was initially elected as an assembly member at Stormont in 2016, having previously served as a councillor for the UUP.
In his resignation letter, Beattie stated he no longer felt "at home within the party he led for three years."
Last month, NI reported that Beattie was facing deselection by his constituency association in favor of Kyle Savage, a councillor on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Beattie reflected on his 12 years with the UUP, noting many "valued friendships," but observed a "marked difference" in relations among the party management board, constituency associations, the party's councillor association, and the MLA group at Stormont over the past two years.
Claims of a 'Campaign of Rumour and Gossip'
He indicated that these tensions intensified following Jon Burrows' appointment as party leader earlier this year, asserting that the party's MLAs were "increasingly marginalised, ignored, isolated and discredited."
The Upper Bann MLA stated that despite raising concerns directly with Burrows, an "insidious campaign of rumour and gossip" was being conducted against him.
Beattie added that the situation "came to a head" last week when Burrows informed him of an intention to reopen a disciplinary matter against him.
This issue is understood to relate to historical social media posts made by Beattie.
He described this as a "deliberate and vindictive" effort aimed at forcing his exit from the UUP.
UUP's Response to Beattie's Resignation
In response, a UUP spokesperson stated that the party had received Beattie's resignation and expressed gratitude for his "many years of service to his country and to the party."
"We wish him well," the spokesperson added.
However, the spokesperson also contested Beattie's portrayal of recent events, stating:
"The party does not accept the characterisation of recent events set out in Mr Beattie's letter."
They further explained that the party management board convened on Thursday evening to address serious concerns regarding Beattie's conduct and judgment.
The board reached a unanimous decision on a course of action, which was scheduled to be communicated to Beattie by the party leader on Monday.
Beattie's resignation preempted this process.
