Mr Nesbitt said,
“Having reviewed the video footage on the Daily Telegraph website, and other media reporting of Lord Laird's engagement with alleged lobbyists, I telephoned his home this morning (Sunday) and as a result he has relinquished the Party Whip, pending the outcome of the review of his behaviour that he has already requested of the relevant authorities at Westminster.
“The Ulster Unionist Party expects and demands high standards of our elected representatives. This includes an awareness that rules must be followed in spirit as well as in letter. No member, no matter what their status or length of service, will be given special privilege against a breach of these standards.”