Patrick Brown: Alliance MLA who quit was facing standards investigation

An Alliance Party assembly member who unexpectedly resigned had been facing an investigation from a standards watchdog, BBC News NI understands.

Patrick Brown announced on Tuesday he was stepping down with immediate effect for "personal reasons".

It is understood Stormont's standards commissioner had been investigating a complaint into Mr Brown's conduct towards an integrated school.

Mr Brown said the investigation "had no bearing" on his reasons for resigning.

It is understood a report by the standards commissioner Melissa McCullough is being considered by the assembly's standards and privileges committee.

The committee, which is made up of members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), considers investigations by the commissioner and recommends to the wider assembly whether any sanction should be imposed.

It is understood Mr Brown had been due to attend the committee on Wednesday.

The inquiry followed a complaint made in 2023 about Mr Brown's conduct towards Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, County Down, and its board of governors.

Alliance did not expand on the reasons for Mr Brown's sudden departure as an MLA for the South Down constituency when it was announced late on Tuesday.

A party spokesperson thanked Mr Brown for his service and wished him "well in his future endeavours".

Mr Brown said he was "proud" of his track record and remained "committed to Alliance values".

"This May, I will have been an elected representative for 10 years and feel the time is right to step aside for personal reasons," he said.

Under assembly rules, Alliance has seven days to choose someone to fill the vacant seat.

Mr Brown was elected to Stormont in 2022 but was previously a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council from 2014.

The Alliance Party and Mr Brown were asked about the standards commissioner investigation but they did not respond.

The commissioner and Shimna College were also approached for comment.

A spokeswoman for the standards and privileges committee said: "The process for handling complaints against MLAs is confidential until the consideration and, where applicable, the investigation and adjudication of complaints has concluded."

She said the assembly has a statutory duty to publish the investigation reports from the commissioner.

"This duty is fulfilled by the committee on standards and privileges when it publishes its reports on the outcome of its adjudication of complaints, which append the applicable investigation reports by the commissioner."

Mr Brown and the Alliance Party were approached for comment but they did not respond.

But in a post on Facebook, Mr Brown said the investigation "had no bearing on my reasons for resigning".

He said he had recently accepted a new job offer and the "pressures of being in full-time politics" impacted his mental well-being, contributing to his decision.