DUP suspend former MLA Maurice Devenney '˜with immediate effect'

A statement from the party says he has been suspended for bringing the Party into disrepute.

Mr Devenney, a former MLA, will have fourteen days to appeal the decision.

DUP Chairman Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley said: “Internal party selections create rivalries within parties, but they are generally of little interest to the public.

“What the people of Foyle want is an energetic, articulate and hard working MLA who will put them first. They will get that in Gary Middleton at the election in May.

“Unionists in the Foyle constituency know there is a single Unionist seat to be won in the Assembly election. Previous election contests have shown the folly of a number of candidates contesting and jeopardizing that single seat.”

Mr Devenney’s suspension is understood to be linked to complaints about Mr Devenney during last year’s Westminster election when he was accused of canvassing votes for the SDLP outside a polling station.

Mr Devenney denied the accusation and said it was a misunderstanding.