After controversy linked to the Union flag issue Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea has been found guilty of indiscipline and given a formal warning by his party. The Lagan Valley MLA has an automatic right of appeal.
A panel of five senior UUP personnel returned their verdict last night after deliberating for a full week on a disciplinary hearing.
Mr McCrea had been asked to explain his criticisms in the media of his party’s handling of the union-flag protests – in particular, closer link-ups with the DUP.
He was found guilty for “speaking in a manner that was detrimental to the party interest” and, in the second case, for a “public attack on party policy”.