A Sinn Féin member of the Assembly has resigned from the party, claiming it was becoming "totally undemocratic".
Gerry McHugh, who represented Fermanagh-South Tyrone, complained that the party was now "overly controlling of members".
In a statement to the Irish News in Belfast, he alleged: "I have become increasingly disillusioned with the totally undemocratic nature of the party and the totally top-down dictation within it.
"I feel the direction Sinn Féin is taking is more about appeasement of the British government and administrating British rule in Ireland, rather than working towards the end of British occupation."
John O'Dowd, leader of the Sinn Féin Assembly group, pointedly asked why his former colleague had not raised his concerns with the party before announcing his decision to become an Independent member.
He also suggested there were other reasons for the announcement.
"Obviously it is disappointing that Gerry did not raise any of the issues he is claiming led to his resignation within the Assembly team prior to going public with his decision," he said.
"Gerry has been a member of the party for a number of years and is well aware of our policies in relation to issues such as policing.
"Our special ardfheis was held months before he allowed his name to go forward as a Sinn Féin candidate in the Assembly elections. It was on this basis that Gerry McHugh was elected."