DUP MLA Maurice Devenney says he is quitting the Assembly
IN the end it came as no surprise – it was just a matter of not if but when.
This afternoon, DUP stalwart Maurice Devenney confirmed all the speculation that he was stepping down as Foyle MLA after just five months.
In a statement, Mr Devenney said: “I have decided to step down from this role as I want to be able to concentrate on a number of local issues in the City.
“This is best achieved by being based in Derry. ”
Derry Daily had earlier today revealed that there was intense speculation about his future as an Assembly member.
Only five months ago he took over from DUP MLA and Speaker Willie Hay.
It is claimed Mr Devenney had been become increasingly unhappy at Stormont about the amount of travelling he was doing from Derry to Belfast and was planning to resign tomorrow, Thursday, March 25.
Today, the DUP said officials in the party were talking to Mr Devenney.
A spokesman said: “There is a decision he’s going to have to take about the council and the Assembly.
“People in the party are talking with him and working to resolve it as best we can. We will support Maurice in whatever way he wants to move forward.”
However, Mr Devenney decided that the Assembly is no longer the place for him and brought forward his announcement by 24 hours.
Prior to entering the Assembly last year, Mr Devenney had been elected to the new Derry and Strabane District Council.
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