Paul Butler is to step down as an assembly member for Lagan Valley
Sinn Fein's Lagan Valley MLA Paul Butler has decided not to stand again in May's assembly election.
Mr Butler stepped down from Lisburn council last month. Recent boundary changes meant much of his area of support was moved to West Belfast.
The MLA, a former IRA prisoner, denied he was retiring from party politics because of disappointment at not being given a chance to run in West Belfast.
He said he wanted to focus on campaigning on other issues.
These include the planned conflict transformation centre at the former Maze prison.
Mr Butler said his decision is not based on what happened in West Belfast.
"I've been looking at this long and hard, even before Gerry Adams made this decision to move to Louth," he said.
"It's a difficult decision because politics has been a big part of my life.
"I started off here in Twinbrook and Poleglass/Lagmore as a councillor 14 years ago, so it is a sad day for me but at the same time I'm looking forward to the future."
