Beattie was aggressive at meeting, Ulster Unionist group says

The Upper Bann constituency association of the Ulster Unionists has accused Doug Beattie - who quit the party on Sunday - of "aggressive" behaviour at a recent selection meeting for the upcoming assembly election.

Beattie, who was first elected as a Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) assembly member for Upper Bann in 2016, has accused the party and its leader Jon Burrows of a "vindictive attempt to oust him".

Last month, BBC News NI revealed Beattie was facing the prospect of deselection by the association in favour of another candidate, Kyle Savage.

On Monday, Beattie launched a blistering attack on his former party and said he "regretted" ever persuading Burrows to join its ranks.

Burrows has not yet commented publicly on the accusations made against his leadership.

On Monday evening, the Upper Bann UUP association published a social media post taking issue with Beattie's account of events.

In it, they thanked him for his "years of service" to the party and to constituents in Upper Bann.

But the statement added: "Over a considerable period, many members became increasingly concerned by Doug's lack of engagement with the association and local councillors within Upper Bann.

"Members also repeatedly expressed frustration that internal disagreements between our constituency MLA and the party leadership were being played out publicly.

"At a time when members were overwhelmingly focused on supporting and uniting behind the current party leadership, many felt this approach created division and distraction."

The association also dismissed as "inaccurate" claims that any individual was being deselected on the basis of political ideology, adding that it felt Beattie's behaviour at a recent meeting to discuss the selection process "was aggressive and accusatory and did not lend itself to a constructive way forward".

It added: "This has not been the first time Doug has used this tactic to steer a decision in his favour."

The statement concluded by reiterating the association's full support for Burrows and deputy leader Diana Armstrong.

When BBC News NI contacted Beattie for a response, he said he wished the Upper Bann association well for the future.