Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has resigned from the party, citing “a toxic atmosphere”.The MLA for Upper Bann has said he will continue to serve as a unionist independent.Beattie posted a statement on social media addressed to current party leader Jon Burrows where he wrote: “It has become clear that my continued membership of the Ulster Unionist Party is no longer tenable.”He said, following Burrows’ election as leader, “MLAs were increasingly marginalised, ignored, isolated and discredited.“Your leadership style became dismissive and overly centralised, empowering individuals to actively undermine elected representatives.“In the absence of any coherent policy direction from the leadership, a toxic atmosphere has been allowed to flourish within the party.”Beattie led the party from 2021 until 2024 before resigning citing “irreconcilable differences” with party officers over the direction of the party.He has been described as part of the party’s liberal tendency, and won praised for his “constructive” work from nationalists while leader.He has been an MLA since 2016. Before entering politics, he served in the British army. –PA