HIGH-PROFILE loyalist flag protester Jamie Bryson has announced he is to "step back" from politics "for personal reasons".
The 24-year-old, from Donaghadee in Co Down, had announced plans to stand in the local and European elections next month.
But earlier this month he pulled out this year's European election campaign just weeks after launching an online funding drive, which raised just £165.
At the time he said any money already raised would go towards his campaign to be elected to North Down and Ards Borough Council.
But last night, he said he was withdrawing from politics for the time being.
On a message on his Twitter account he said: "I have decided to step back from politics for foreseeable future for personal reasons. All election money will go to charity."
He added: "Rest assured my mind has not changed about what is happening in Ulster nor has my commitment to resisting it".
Mr Bryson came to prominence during the loyalist flag protests in 2012 and he was later charged with taking part in unnotified parades.