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The Alliance Party is to begin the process of finding a replacement for Patrick Brown after he unexpectedly quit Stormont.

Announcing the news on Tuesday, a spokesperson said the resignation was due to "personal reasons".

The party now has seven days to co-opt a replacement for Mr Brown to the assembly.

Under Stormont rules, Alliance can choose someone to fill the vacant seat without the need for a by-election.

Those internal processes to find a replacement will begin on Tuesday, Alliance sources told ´óÏó´«Ã½ News NI.

Alliance has not expanded on the reasons for Mr Brown's sudden departure but paid tribute to his time in office.

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

Mr Brown said: "It has been an honour to represent local people and help them on important issues."

He said he was proud of his track record and remained committed to the party's 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.

"I am proud of the work I have done since being elected, including supporting those impacted by flooding, campaigning on environmental and animal welfare issues, and my work on the Windsor Framework and Infrastructure Committees."

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

Earlier this year, Mr Brown was censured by the local government commissioner for standards over comments about an interview process for a council chief executive.

It came after he posted on social media how he believed councillors had voted on the senior appointment to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Mr Brown issued a written apology following an investigation.