Down councillor resigns from Alliance Party

NEWCASTLE Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke has resigned from the party.

Mr. Clarke informed senior Alliance officials yesterday that he was leaving to become an Independent, explaining his decision has been taken on health grounds. He had been under investigation by senior party officials over allegations of inappropriate behaviour in a Newcastle hotel over Christmas.

Currently a member of Down Council, Mr. Clarke has secured a seat on the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council which is formally launched on April 1 and will be the third largest of Northern Ireland’s 11 new super councils.

Mr. Clarke, who was elected to represent the Slieve Croob area on the new super council, said he aims to remain in politics and continue serving as an Independent member for as long as his health allows him to.

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