Boundary Similkameen MLA John Slater resigned from the B.C. Liberal caucus today to sit as an independent.

Slater, who is in his first term as an MLA, said he has stepped down because the party refused to nominate him for the election in 2013.

"The party is not going to support me as their candidate in May. They've come out loud and clear and said that," Slater said in an interview today, adding he is disappointed by the decision. "If the party doesn't have faith in me then what's the point?"

Slater said the party did not give him an exact reason for its decision.

In a statement Monday, B.C. Liberal Party president Sharon White confirmed Slater would not be allowed to run for the party in 2013.

"Mr. Slater's candidacy is not being approved due to personal issues that, in our view, impact his ability to represent the Party," she said, not explaining any further.

"The party sought a co-operative solution through discussions with John. This is not a decision taken lightly and is fully considered."

Slater said he has not yet decided if he will run in the 2013 election as an independent.

"I don't know. That's months down the road," he said. "Let's get through this."

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