DUP executive member defects to UUP

A member of the DUP's executive has defected to the UUP after accusing his former party of arrogance.

A member of the DUP's executive has defected to the UUP after accusing his former party of arrogance.

Edward Hanna (25) claimed the community voice had been overshadowed and the DUP reneged on commitments not to devolve policing and to protect the transfer test.

He was influential in Ian Paisley's organisation at Queen's University and helped organise last year's election campaign from there.

"The centre of DUP politics has moved from its community base and people have taken to being very arrogant and not entirely out of touch but certainly politics driven by the people," he claimed.

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"The DUP completely ripped up their manifestos after the elections. "There was no consultation with the people, there was no consultation anywhere."

The DUP said it had saved the 11-plus at the St Andrews Agreement and opposed plans to scrap it outlined by Education Minister Caitriona Ruane last year.

The party leader has also attacked St Andrews' references to devolving policing and justice to a local minister by May.

Mr Hanna said: "It is okay to say they don't support the devolution of policing powers but if anybody is in touch it is as good as a done deal."

Mr Hanna works for the Ulster/Scots Agency promoting its work in schools and is a former Worshipful Master at Dromore District in Co Down.

He is from Dromara and spent three years on the DUP executive from 2004 to last year. He was deputy chair of the DUP's youth association, the Young Democrats. He is engaged with no children.