The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has ousted its founder and leader, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The party’s disciplinary committee made the decision on Monday night, with five members voting in favour of Gayoom’s dismissal, reportedly in line with the party’s national council. 

A statement from the committee says that Gayoom had been given the opportunity to answer to the allegations taken up against him by the committee and that he had not done so. 

Gayoom’s dismissal from the party also removes him from his position as party leader.  

The former president was dismissed on the grounds that he had smeared the name of the party by withdrawing his support for the government and misrepresenting it. The party’s national council reportedly further accused Gayoom of expressing opinions directly in conflict with PPM’s political ideologies.

The council meeting was held on Sunday, which also acted as a press conference for the divided party’s faction loyal to President Abdulla Yameen, and its coalition partner the Maldives Development Alliance.

The party split after a row in June 2016. 

Gayoom responded to this saying that the ‘Dharubaaru’ faction – referring to the venue of said press conference – has no legal basis to dismiss members.