Patrick Brown has resigned as an Assembly Member for South Down with immediate effect, an Alliance Party spokesperson has said.
The party said that “it is with regret we announce Patrick’s immediate resignation due to personal reasons.”
They thanked him for his service, saying that he made an “historic breakthrough in South Down at the Assembly” and said they wish him well in his future endeavours.
Brown had been an MLA for South Down since the 2022 Assembly election when he was first elected. Previously, he was a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
“I want to thank the people of South Down, whose support helped me and the local Alliance team substantially grow the party in the constituency.
“It has been an honour to represent local people and help them on important issues. I am proud of my track record as a constituency MLA and remain committed to Alliance values, and look forward to seeing the party continue to grow across Northern Ireland.
“This May, I will have been an elected representative for 10 years and feel the time is right to step aside for personal reasons. I am proud of the work I have done since being elected, including supporting those impacted by flooding, campaigning on environmental and animal welfare issues, and my work on the Windsor Framework and Infrastructure Committees.
“Alliance continues to have my support, as will whoever is co-opted by the party to fill the position of South Down MLA.”
– Patrick Brown
In March 2017, Brown was arrested for drink driving and in 2018 he was suspended from his role on council for six months by the Local Government Commissioner for Standards.
Earlier this year he was censured by the Standards Commissioner because of comments he made on social media when he was a serving councillor.
Replacing Patrick Brown
The Alliance Party now have seven days to choose a replacement for Mr Brown.
Due to the Assembly’s rules on co-option, there will be no by-election.
Alliance currently have five councillors serving on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
