Former DUP MLA Maurice Devenney is to stand in the assembly election as an independent unionist.
Mr Devenney resigned from the DUP earlier this year after he was suspended following claims that he canvassed support for SDLP MP, Mark Durkan outside a polling station during last year’s general election.
Mr Devenney originally announced plans to keep his seat on Derry City and Strabane District Council as an independent unionist. It was subsequently revealed that he intended joining the Ulster Unionist Party and was welcomed into the UUP by leader, Mike Nesbitt. However, within days, Mr Devenney announced he would not be joining the UUP but would be remaining as an independent councillor.
In the latest twist, Mr Devenney – who is from County Donegal – said he intended standing in May’s poll as an independent unionist following “much consideration.”
“I will be providing an independent voice and offering to continue my lobbying and work on the ground that I already do as a councillor, albeit on a larger scale to a greater number of people,” he said.
