FORMER chairman of Ukip in the north Henry Reilly has been expelled from the party following comments he made to The Irish News.
This newspaper revealed in September how the South Down Westminster candidate had resigned as Ukip's regional chair after a disagreement with the party's sole assembly member and Northern Ireland leader David McNarry.
At the time Mr Reilly said he would continue to represent Ukip as a councillor for Newry, Mourne and Down but had "peddled back" from his wider party role.
He also said he and McNarry had "a very, very strained relationship" and that the Ukip regional head did not plan to stand in next year's Stormont elections.
Mr Reilly was regarded as potential Ukip MLA, having secured more than 24,000 votes at least year's European elections.
In May's Westminster election he came fifth in the South Down constituency with 3,044 votes – less than 500 votes behind the DUP's Jim Wells.
In the immediate aftermath of September's story in The Irish News, Mr Reilly was suspended from the party by Ukip national chairman Steve Crowther.
It emerged that Mr Reilly was suspended for talking to The Irish News, which had contacted the Co Down councillor after noticing he was absent when Ukip leader Nigel Farage visited Belfast to launch his party's EU referendum campaign.
A copy of the email to Mr Reilly from Mr Crowther circulated on social media at the time.
It stated: "It has come to my attention that you have publicly aired grievances concerning David McNarry, including discussing his electoral future, with a member of the press, namely John Manley of the Irish News.
"This is contrary to the position I understood you to have taken when you resigned as chairman; contrary to the interests of the party in Northern Ireland, particularly as it coincides with, and will adversely affect, a visit from the party leader and is liable to bring the party into disrepute."
Mr Reilly was unavailable for comment.
Ukip issued a statement on Tuesday saying it had expelled Mr Reilly.
"At midday (Tuesday) Henry Reilly was advised that resulting from his suspension a disciplinary meeting held yesterday (Monday) took the decision to expel him from Ukip membership," the statement said.
"There will be no further comment on this internal party decision."
