³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

A former councillor has quit the Alliance Party due to his support for a united Ireland.

David Rossiter stepped down from Ards and North Down Borough Council last month, citing work commitments.

He said he also ended his Alliance membership as he can "no longer support a party that has not embraced the possibility of a new Ireland".

Alliance, which is neutral on Northern Ireland's constitutional future, was approached for comment.

Rossiter, who is originally from Drogheda in County Louth in the Irish Republic, was elected in 2023 as an Alliance councillor for the Holywood and Clandeboye area.

The 36-year-old was previously involved in the Irish Green Party in Drogheda.

Rossiter said he stepped down from the council due to a new job role which makes living in the area "logistically challenging".

"In addition to resigning from the council, I have also ended my membership of the Alliance Party," he added in a statement.

"This decision comes after much reflection on Northern Ireland's future and the path we must pursue for a more prosperous society.

"I can no longer support a party that has not embraced the possibility of a new Ireland."

Rossiter said Brexit has "highlighted the need for a new approach".

He said discussions on the idea of Irish unity "are already underway", but Alliance "remains conspicuously absent from this dialogue".

Rossiter said unionism "is as much a part of the Irish identity as nationalism", and a "new Ireland offers a chance for healing and progress".

Alliance was approached for comment.

The party is the third-largest in Northern Ireland at Stormont and at local government level following elections in recent years.

Meanwhile two other Alliance councillors, Christine Creighton and Gillian McCollum, stepped down from their roles at Ards and North Down Borough Council on Friday.

It is expected that McCollum is switching district electoral areas to take up Rossiter's seat.