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Two more councillors leaving DUP Two more councillors leaving DUP
(about 17 hours later)
Two more Ballymena DUP councillors have resigned from the party over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein.Two more Ballymena DUP councillors have resigned from the party over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein.
The town's mayor James Alexander and Councillor Robin Stirling announced their decisions during a meeting of the council on Monday night.The town's mayor James Alexander and Councillor Robin Stirling announced their decisions during a meeting of the council on Monday night.
They will stay on the council as independents. Three other Ballymena councillors have already quit the DUP.They will stay on the council as independents. Three other Ballymena councillors have already quit the DUP.
The resignations mean the DUP loses overall control on the council, but is still its biggest party. The latest resignations mean that the DUP loses overall control of Ballymena council.
Last year, Mr Stirling proposed a motion granting party leader Ian Paisley the freedom of the town.Last year, Mr Stirling proposed a motion granting party leader Ian Paisley the freedom of the town.
However, he said he now felt betrayed by the DUP leader.
"I was promised that there would be no accommodation in Stormont or in any future assembly with terrorists," he said.
"That pledge has been outrageously broken."
Ian Paisley's meeting with Gerry Adams has upset some colleaguesHowever, SDLP councillor Declan O' Loan said that with devolution, Ballymena council could work to deliver real progress.
"It could be the best thing that happened Ballymena for a long time. Those who want to work positively and work together in Ballymena unite around that very issue.
"I think we really could deliver fantastic progress for Ballymena."
Resignations
The other councillors who resigned are Davy Tweed, Sam Gaston and founding member of the party, Roy Gillespie.The other councillors who resigned are Davy Tweed, Sam Gaston and founding member of the party, Roy Gillespie.
Ballymoney councillor Audrey Patterson has also left the party.Ballymoney councillor Audrey Patterson has also left the party.
Last week, MEP Jim Allister resigned from the DUP a day after Mr Paisley's meeting with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.Last week, MEP Jim Allister resigned from the DUP a day after Mr Paisley's meeting with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.
A number of DUP assembly members have spoken of their concerns about power-sharing with Sinn Fein on 8 May, but none have resigned.A number of DUP assembly members have spoken of their concerns about power-sharing with Sinn Fein on 8 May, but none have resigned.