Patrick Brown announces he is resigning as Alliance’s South Down MLA

A spokesperson for the party said they were announcing his immediate resignation “with regret”.

They added, “We thank him for his service, which saw him help Alliance make an historic breakthrough in South Down at the Assembly, and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Mr Brown was elected to the Assembly in May 2022 but, due to the impasse at Stormont he only took his seat earlier this year. He became the first Alliance MLA for the constituency in the process

In 2014 he became one of the youngest people to be elected as a councillor when he represented the Rowallane DEA on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Mr Brown added: “I want to thank the people of South Down, whose support helped me and the local Alliance team substantially grow the party in the constituency.

“It has been an honour to represent local people and help them on important issues. I am proud of my track record as a constituency MLA and remain committed to Alliance values, and look forward to seeing the party continue to grow across Northern Ireland.

“This May, I will have been an elected representative for 10 years and feel the time is right to step aside for personal reasons. I am proud of the work I have done since being elected, including supporting those impacted by flooding, campaigning on environmental and animal welfare issues, and my work on the Windsor Framework and Infrastructure Committees.

"Alliance continues to have my support, as will whoever is co-opted by the party to fill the position of South Down MLA.”