TUV leader Jim Allister has confirmed that former rugby international David Tweed’s membership of the party has been “terminated”.
Tweed, who represented the TUV as a councillor in Ballymena, was last week found guilty of 13 charges of child abuse against two girls, which a judge labelled “vile and disgusting”.
The 53-year-old, who will be sentenced in the New Year, was expelled from the Orange Order as soon as the guilty verdicts were delivered in Antrim Crown Court on Wednesday.
Last night Mr Allister said: “David Tweed’s membership is terminated.”
The TUV leader said the former rugby star “was first suspended when he was first charged”, which he said was in September 2011.
“He then did not renew his membership.”
Mr Allister added: “Unique to any political party, the TUV automatically suspends any member if they are facing charges in the Crown Court.
“His membership was not renewed in 2012. If he had renewed it, it would have been inevitable that he would have been expelled.”
Railway supervisor Tweed stood trial accused of sexually abusing two young girls over an eight-year period.
Laura Ievers QC for the prosecution argued that Tweed was able to easily hide the abuse because of his position in society.
She said: “He was a big, powerful man, charisma, sporting prowess – the perfect veil to hide behind and the ultimate in living a lie.”