THE DUP has withdrawn the whip from former health minister Jim Wells following criticism of the party leadership.
The South Down MLA resigned as Stormont health minister in 2015 following controversy over comments relating to same-sex couples.
In a recent interview, Mr Wells was critical of the DUP leadership. He claimed former party leader Peter Robinson had given assurances that he could return to his job as health minister, a claim the former first minister denied.
Mr Wells said he expected to be sanctioned by the DUP over his remarks about Mr Robinson and other senior party figures.
The DUP has said it does not comment on internal matters but Mr Wells confirmed to The Irish News that he had had the whip withdrawn.
The current suspension of the assembly means the sanction is largely symbolic, although the former health minister is the DUP's representative on the assembly commission, the body responsible for Stormont 'housekeeping' matters.
The only way Mr Wells can be removed from the commission is by resigning or by an assembly resolution.
