BREAKING: Teresa Wat becomes new party's sixth MLA

Teresa Wat has announced that she will be joining the party formed by Peter Milobar and four other former BC Conservative MLAs.

The Richmond-Brighouse representative said she believed Milobar's new venture "a strong, credible alternative to the NDP that is focused on affordability, and competent government."

"After careful consideration, I have decided to join Peter and the growing team of sitting MLAs to help build this new party," Wat wrote in a statement. "I believe that this party can bring people together from across our province and replace the NDP as British Columbia's government."

Milobar welcomed his ex-colleague, highlighting her "extraordinary amount of experience ... both as a legislator and a former Cabinet Minister."

"Our team is growing because there is a clear appetite for a serious alternative to the NDP," he added. "British Columbians are tired of out of control spending and a government who is responsible for the decline of so many sectors in our province. It's time for change."

Teresa Wat quits BC Conservative caucus, will sit as Independent

“I cannot continue to sit in a caucus led by someone who has questioned my loyalty without evidence and, when given the opportunity to correct the record, has failed to do so,” Wat lamented.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

Wat is one of nine MLAs to leave the BC Conservatives since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader. She departed on August 26.

More to come...