Election candidate quits Independent Ireland after criticism of Conor McGregor association

James Cox

General election candidate Philip Sutcliffe has quit the Independent Ireland party, with his resignation coming before a meeting to discuss his support for Conor McGregor.

The Dublin city councillor was previously Mr McGregor's boxing coach, and he accompanied Mr McGregor to his High Court hearing on Friday, where a jury found he had assaulted Nikita Hand.

Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue, a co-founder of Independent Ireland, told The Irish Times: "Philip was approached. There was to be a further meeting today. Before the second meeting could take replace, Philip resigned from the party."

Mr O'Donoghue added: "Philip does a lot of great work with people in boxing but we do not condone his association with Conor McGregor. It was also reported that he said he wanted to meet Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch, and we don’t stand for that either. We work for law and order.”

Mr Sutcliffe will now run as a non-party candidate.

A statement from Independent Ireland read: "Cllr Phil Sutcliffe (Snr) is no longer a member of Independent Ireland.

"Following a meeting with a senior party official today, Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) has tendered his resignation to the leadership of Independent Ireland.

"The leadership of the Party has accepted his resignation.

"As we understand it, Cllr Sutcliffe is continuing in politics as a non-party representative. He is continuing his general election campaign and if elected will take up a seat in Dáil Éireann as a non-party TD."