Jon Burrows ‘deeply disappointed’ by Doug Beattie’s resignation letter

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The UUP leader has said he is “deeply disappointed” by comments made by Doug Beattie, who resigned from the party on Sunday.

The Upper Bann MLA, who once led the UUP, cited a “toxic atmosphere” under its current leadership as the reason for his departure.

In a scathing resignation letter directed at party leader Jon Burrows, the ex-Army captain said: “Your leadership style became dismissive and overly centralised, empowering individuals to actively undermine elected representatives.

“In the absence of any coherent policy direction from the leadership, a toxic atmosphere has been allowed to flourish within the party.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra on Tuesday Burrows said he had “a lot of respect” for Beattie “both as a gallant soldier and also as a long-standing member and politician in this party”.

However, referring to the resignation letter he said: “I’m deeply disappointed by the comments Doug made, I regret that he made them, and I don’t recognise his characterisation of me whatsoever.”

Asked about disciplinary proceedings which Beattie described as “vindictive and a deliberate attempt to drive” him from the party, Burrows said: “I deal with what is in front of me, and I have high standards, A leader sets high standards in terms of integrity.

“It is my responsibility to set high ethical standards,” he added.

The former PSNI officer also said he “completely” rejected allegations in the letter that an “insidious campaign of rumour and gossip” had been directed at Beattie.