10/02/2006

Paul Berry resigns from DUP

Democratic Unionist assembly member Paul Berry has today resigned from the party following allegations over his private life.

The Newry and Armagh MLA was granted an injunction against the DUP leadership to prevent them from taking disciplinary action against him, however this has now been lifted and Mr Berry has agreed to pay £3,000 to the DUP to cover its defence costs.

Paul Berry was suspended from the party following a Sunday newspaper's claim that he had engaged in an alleged encounter with a masseur in a Belfast hotel.

In a statement released today by his solicitors Madden Finucane, Mr Berry said: "Today I wish to publicly announce my resignation from the Democratic Unionist Party.

"The past number of months has been a particularly stressful time for my wife, family and myself and we want closure on this matter.

"We have come to the conclusion that there is no future for me within the DUP and on that basis we have decided that it is best for me to resign."

Mr Berry added that he would continue to carry out his role as an assembly member and a councillor.

(EF/SP)

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