A long-standing Sinn Fein Mid and East Antrim Councillor has resigned from the party.
Paul Maguire has been angered over the party's handling of the search for Daithi McKay's replacement.
No fewer than local seventeen party activists have now also quit.
The shock development came in a letter to North Antrim Sinn Fein officials at the weekend.
Mr McKay was recently replaced as North Antrim MLA by the former incumbent Philip McGuigan,a highly unusual move.
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