The Ulster Unionist Party has expelled an Assembly member and suspended another for voting against Mr David Trimble as the North's First Minister.
Mr Peter Weir, an Assembly member for North Down, and Ms Pauline Armitage, who represents East Derry, faced separate disciplinary hearings at UUP headquarters yesterday.
Last night, the party announced that Mr Weir, who was previously disciplined for a similar offence, had been expelled while Ms Armitage had been suspended.
UUP MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson said he deeply regretted the decision. "There is considerable support and sympathy for Peter and Pauline among UUP grassroots," he said.
Mr Weir and Ms Armitage defied an instruction from the UUP Executive to support Mr Trimble. Their actions meant he lost the vote and needed Alliance members to re-designate as unionists to have him elected.
Mr Weir, walked out of the disciplinary meeting before the verdict. "I will not be tried by a kangaroo court," he said. "I have spent my entire adult life in the UUP. It is a sad day when the leader of the party can't wait to have true unionists removed while needing opponents of unionism to gain election."
He said he had no regrets about voting against Mr Trimble.
Ms Armitage, said she had been told she could reapply to join the party but she said she hadn't decided what to do.