THE GREEN Party was last night refusing to reveal the reason behind the summary suspension of its Mid Ulster assembly election candidate less than a week out from polling day.
The party yesterday withdrew its support for Stefan Taylor, who has been its candidate in the constituency in the two previous Stormont elections.
In a short statement, the Greens said they were no longer endorsing the Cookstown man's campaign.
"We have ceased campaigning in the Mid Ulster constituency as the Green Party NI candidate has withdrawn from the campaign," the statement said.
"Whilst he will still appear on the ballot paper, his membership of the party has been suspended. He is no longer endorsed by the Green Party NI."
In the 2016 and 2017 assembly elections, Mr Taylor secured 349 and 243 votes respectively.
The Green Party is running candidates in the other 17 constituencies and although the prospects of securing a seat in Mid Ulster were remote, the controversy has attracted unwelcome publicity.
The party was last night refusing to comment further on the terms of Mr Taylor's suspension.
