MLA Don MacIntyre resigns from UCP caucus

Read the latest on this story:Former Alberta MLA Don MacIntyre resigned following sexual assault, sexual interference charges

United Conservative Party Leader JasonKenneyannouncedon Fridaythat MLA DonMacIntyrehas resigned from the party's caucus.

MacIntyreis the MLA for the riding ofInnisfail-SylvanLake.

He tweeted that he's resigning to focus on family. He did not specify if he was resigning his seat as MLA, or just his position in caucus.

Reached lateFriday,UCPexecutive director Janice Harrington and caucus press secretary AnnieDormuthdeclined comment.

MacIntyrewas elected to the legislature in 2015 with theWildroseparty.

Prior to that, he was a part-time instructor for the alternative energy program atNAIT, and worked as the chief technical officer for a private overseas geothermal company.

MacIntyre was criticized by the NDP last year after he suggested that science hasn't conclusively proven that climate change is a man-made problem.

The news comes the same day as an announcement thatMLA Derek Fildebrant will not be allowed to rejoin the UCPcaucus, after he pleaded guilty to illegally shooting a deer on private land.

• MLA Derek Fildebrandt won't be allowed to rejoin UCP after pleading guilty to illegally shooting deer