Sutcliffe was photographed accompanying McGregor into court yesterday
Conor McGregor (second left), with friends and family including Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (front, wearing cap) arriving at the High Court in Dublin on Friday. Photo: PA
A Dublin City Councillor who accompanied Conor McGregor to his High Court hearing yesterday where a jury found he had assaulted Nikita Hand has resigned as a member of his political party.
Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Sr) sat between Dee Devlin and James Lawrence as he joined McGregor’s entourage in the courtroom to hear the verdict read out.
Sutcliffe was photographed accompanying McGregor into court yesterday alongside Dee, McGregor’s mother Margaret, sister Aoife, father Tony and other family members.
A former boxer and two-time Olympian, he has coached McGregor in the past.
He beat outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste to take a seat in Dublin City Council for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh in June when he ran as an Independent Ireland candidate.
However, in a statement issued this afternoon, Independent Ireland said Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) is no longer a member of the party.
“Following a meeting with a senior party official today, Cllr Philip Sutcliffe (Snr) has tendered his resignation to the leadership of Independent Ireland,” the statement reads.
“The leadership of the Party has accepted his resignation.
“As we understand it, Cllr Sutcliffe is continuing in politics as a non-party representative.
“He is continuing his general election campaign and if elected will take up a seat in Dáil Éireann as a non-party TD.”
In June, the newly-elected councillor thanked Conor McGregor’s beer brand for “sponsoring his campaign”.
In a post on social media, he said that his campaign had been “sponsored” by the MMA fighter’s beer brand.
“I also want to thank the mammies and daddies of Crumlin boxing club,” he said on a video on social media.
“I also want to thank Forge Stout for sponsoring me.” McGregor wrote under the video: “Hero.”
The 64-year-old who has twice represented Ireland at the Olympics in boxing and won two national titles coaches out of Crumlin Boxing club and has worked with McGregor throughout the years.
After Mr Sutcliffe announced that he was seeking election, McGregor said: “Coach Sutcliffe! Vote INDEPENDENT!”
