A FORMER DUP MLA has left the party after a failed appeal against sanctions for a second internal disciplinary action within three years.
Adrian McQuillan, a councillor in Causeway Coast and Glens who formerly represented East Derry in the assembly, claimed he had faced a "four-year witch hunt".
He was previously suspended for six months by the DUP in 2019, just a matter of weeks after being elected as a councillor.
On that occasion he faced disciplinary action over what he described at the time as "a lot of stuff going on during the election", including the use of election posters unauthorised by the party.
Mr McQuillan, who lost his assembly seat in 2017, was suspended for a second time in September last year for 12 months.
A statement from the DUP said a disciplinary panel found the former MLA's conduct had brought the party into disrepute.
It said he published material online which "directly attacked, smeared and without foundation, called into question a number of DUP colleagues".
Mr McQuillan, who will remain on the council as an independent, said the allegations, including claims of bullying and harassment, were false.
His appeal against the suspension on Monday was rejected by DUP party officers.
"It is clear to me that there has been an orchestrated plan to remove me prior to the selection process for the upcoming local government election in May," he told the BBC.
He claimed his resignation was "driven by elements of the party with personal grudges".
