Northern Ireland

Last DUP councillor in Newry, Mourne and Down William Walker 'considering his future'

DUP councillor William Walker
DUP councillor William Walker DUP councillor William Walker

THE SOLE remaining DUP councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has said he is “seriously considering” his future in the party.

William Walker was speaking after his council colleagues Glyn Hanna and Kathryn Owen resigned from the DUP, claiming there had been a purge of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's supporters.

Along with former DUP Westminster candidate Diane Forsythe, the two councillors made allegations of bullying and sexism.

Mr Walker from Killyleagh paid tribute to his colleagues and told the Down Recorder that he was “seriously considering” his position.

He told the newspaper it was “no secret” that he had been unhappy about a number of issues and that he was taking time to decide his next move.

The former council chair said that he was “acutely aware” that his resignation would leave the DUP with no members on Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

He described his two former party colleagues, who are now independents, as “excellent, hard-working councillors”.