DUP leader Peter Robinson last night said he is "sorry that people can't be team players" following the resignation of Lisburn councillor Jenny Palmer.
Mrs Palmer and her husband John, also a DUP councillor, resigned from the party after she claimed she had been "bullied" by the DUP.
She had been due to undergo an internal disciplinary inquiry after she claimed in 2013 she had been pressurised by DUP special adviser Stephen Brimstone to change how she intended to vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.
Mr Robinson said last night: "Of course I'm sorry that people can't be team players and stay within the party. I would like everybody to work within the party and be loyal to the party and those within it. Jenny has taken her decision. I wish her well in the future."
The BBC reported that in an interview with today's Ulster Star, Jeffrey Donaldson, Mrs Palmer's MP and former party colleague, said his "thoughts and prayers" were with her.
Mrs Palmer tweeted last night: "I want to thank you all for the kind words of support at this very difficult time! God's richest blessings to you all!!"
She later added: "Why would I want to be part of a corrupt Team?"
