DUP man quits over SF power-share

Leslie Cubitt now plans to contest the assembly election

A DUP councillor has quit the party in protest at what he feels is the party's willingness to share power with Sinn Fein.

Limavady councillor Leslie Cubitt now plans to contest the assembly election as a member of the UK Unionist Party.

That party is led by Robert McCartney, who is opposed to the St Andrews Agreement.

Mr Cubitt said he planned to stay on as an independent councillor, but said his only option was to quit.

"Some people have said that I have deserted the DUP, but they have deserted me," he said.

"They have deserted the electorate - and I am going on the 2005 manifesto.

"They have reneged on everything that they said.

"I feel terribly let down. I went out at the last election and I canvassed enthusiastically for the DUP because I believed in their manifesto.

"They have let us all down in that manifesto and I feel let down, and the electorate feel let down, and I am giving the option to vote for me."

The DUP MP for East Londonderry, Gregory Campbell, said Mr Cubbitt's departure came as no surprise.

He said every councillor in the constituency now agreed with the party's attitude towards Sinn Fein.