The DUP have confirmed former UUP and independent councillor Darryl Wilson has joined the party as a councillor in Ballymoney.
Councillor Wilson was formerly part of the Causeway Coast and Glen Borough Council under the UUP and was first elected in 2014, before quitting the UUP last year.
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said he was “delighted” to welcome councillor Wilson to the party, highlighting his reputation of “dedication and hard work” over the past decade.
Mr Robinson said: “Darryl will be a fantastic addition to the DUP group on Causeway Coast & Glens Council, to our wider team within the North Antrim constituency and the Democratic Unionist Party as a whole.
“I want to see unionists working together at every level. North Antrim stands as an example from the last Northern Ireland Assembly election when there were four unionist quotas but only three unionists elected. We can’t allow that to happen again in 2027.
“We are building a team for the future. A team that has a passion for people and for Northern Ireland.
“Being convinced of the union means more than simply defending it, it means making it work for everyone and delivering the best public services for the people who live and work here.”
Councillor Wilson said he has “always worked well” with members of the DUP and called it an “exciting new chapter in his political life.”
He said: “The future of Northern Ireland is what we should all be focused on and Gavin very clearly represents someone who is committed to not just defending the Union but promoting it.
“It is always easiest in life to identify the problems, but the real task is in identifying the solutions. The vision of a more cohesive and effective unionism is something I will continue to work towards achieving.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in my political life, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues, not just in Ballymoney but right across Northern Ireland.”
DUP North Antrim chair Julie Philpott welcomed Mr Wilson to the DUP and hailed his “commitment to serving his constituents.”
She said: “We give Darryl a warm welcome to the North Antrim Democratic Unionist Association.
“His commitment to serving his constituents aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we look forward to delivering for the people we are privileged to represent.”