The Reverend Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists tonight confirmed they had suspended an Assembly member over allegations about his private life.
Newry and Armagh MLA Paul Berry was suspended over claims in the Sunday World newspaper in May that he met a male masseur in a south Belfast hotel.
Mr Berry said he met the masseur for treatment for a sports injury but denied any sexual act had taken place. He threatened to take legal action. A party spokesman told the Press Association tonight: "Paul Berry is suspended from the DUP, pending an investigation that is ongoing."
Mr Berry was regarded as one of the rising stars of the DUP when he was elected as the youngest Northern Ireland Assembly member in 1998 at the age of 22.
A textile worker by trade, he came to prominence as a gospel singer, and in particular for protest songs against former Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.
He was a prominent supporter of the protests by Portadown Orangemen at Drumcree against the Parade Commission's ban on them since 1998 for marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road.
As the MLA for Newry and Armagh since 1998, he served on the first assembly's Health Committee.
Despite the allegations about his private life, Mr Berry still managed to receive the most votes for a Unionist candidate in Newry and Armagh in the General Election in May and also retained his seat on Armagh Council in the local government elections.
He was unavailable for comment tonight following the DUP's statement.