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An incoming MLA at the centre of controversy since she was elected almost three weeks ago has been booted from the NDP caucus by premier-designate Rachel Notley over a homophobic remark posted online.

Deborah Drever, elected May 5 in the west-end riding of Calgary-Bow but yet to be sworn in, was suspended Friday for an image posted on her Instagram account featuring Tories Ric McIver and Jim Prentice with the phrase “Gay boyz” written underneath it.

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The account has been deleted, but the image — which appears to date back to last year’s Progressive Conservative leadership race — was circulating on social media on Friday.

In a statement announcing that Drever would now sit as an Independent, Notley issued an apology.

“I apologize to all Albertans for the homophobic statements contained in this image, which are completely contrary to the views of our party and our future government,” said the premier-designate, who will be officially sworn-in as Alberta’s 17th premier on Sunday.

Notley’s spokeswoman, Cheryl Oates, said the NDP and party leader only became aware of the Instagram post on Friday and confirmed it with the new MLA.

“It’s just not something we can defend,” Oates said.

Drever, a 26-year-old Mount Royal University student, previously attracted criticism for posing for a picture on the 2012 cover of the cassette Fear of Attack by the Calgary heavy metal band Gatekrashor.

In the image, it appears she is about to assaulted by a person with a bottle while other men restrain her, leading observers to raise concerns the picture promoted sexual violence against women.

Drever, who could not be reached for comment Friday, had already come under fire for photos posted on her now-deleted Facebook page. In one picture, she posed in front of a T-shirt promoting marijuana, while in another, someone — Drever said it was not her — is giving the finger to the Canadian flag.