Burnside set to leave assembly

David Burnside is quitting Stormont to concentrate on his business

David Burnside, Ulster Unionist MLA for South Antrim, is set to quit the assembly to focus on his business interests, the BBC has learned.

Mr Burnside told his assembly team of his decision on Monday morning.

A former MP for South Antrim, Mr Burnside has served in the assembly since 2003.

He runs a public relations company in London and he said he wants to concentrate on this and his other interests.

In a statement, the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Mr Burnside had told him it was time to allow someone new to step into his place.

The Ulster Unionist leader wished him well.

The party now has to decide who should replace him, a process which could cause some tension.

Mr Burnside was an outspoken critic of power-sharing with Sinn Fein without IRA decommissioning.

His political involvement stretches back to the 1970s when he was involved with Vanguard which had opposed the Sunningdale power-sharing deal.