Disy former MP Evgenios Hamboullas has resigned from the party citing an “existential dilemma” and “distancing from ideological roots”, spurring Disy to “remind him that principles don’t abandon people” but rather the other way round.

In a press release on Monday, Disy said it remained focused on its principles for transparency and proper administration, adding that it had never operated under “an ownership concept”.

“On the contrary, it was and remains a live, evolving force of democratic dialogue and national responsibility,” Disy said.

It added that “we accept disagreement, but we don’t accept distortion.”

“Disy’s history was written with actions, consistency, political cost and national consciousness. We will not allow it to be brought into question by insinuations that serve narratives foreign to our collective identity,” the party said.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Hamboullas said “the course the leadership of the party is following over the past years brings me to a deep existential dilemma: to remain silent about something that no longer expresses me or to be clean outside it.”

He said it was an act of “political responsibility” and that it was time “for a new political narrative, with clear lines and steadfast principles” for the Cyprus “we envision and we deserve”.