Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
UUP step aside for Dodds in General election
Aiken slams sick threats against his party members Elliott favoured as agreed unionist in Fermanagh vote
THE Ulster Unionist Party will step aside in North Belfast to allow DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds a clear run in the General Election.
Incoming UUP leader Steve Aiken had been under pressure not to run a candidate in the constituency, where Mr Dodds is expected to face a close contest with Sinn Fein’s John Finucane.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Aiken said he believes it is better to elect Mr Dodds than “facilitate the election of an abstentionist Sinn Fein MP”.
The republican party last week singled out Mr Dodds, who won a majority of just over 2,000 votes in 2017, as one of its key targets as it aims to increase its number of MPS from seven to eight.
The DUP has indicated it will stand aside in Fermanagh and South Tyrone with reports suggesting Tom Elliott will be the agreed unionist candidate.
Mr Aiken had previously indicated the UUP would stand candidates in all 18 constituencies.
The party has since been in discussions with senior political and community figures across North Belfast.
He said: “In doing so, we listened respectfully to all views expressed, including deeply-held concerns they will be unrepresented in Westminster in the critical months ahead.
“The choice in North Belfast is between Nigel Dodds as MP or an abstentionist MP who refuses to stand in Westminster to talk about health, education, justice, international affairs or the future direction of the United Kingdom.
“In the face of Boris Johnson’s terrible deal which forces Northern Ireland towards the edge of the Union, we cannot gift a seat to Sinn Fein who support this direction either in North Belfast or Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“It is better to elect Nigel Dodds in North Belfast and hold him to account for his promises on the Union than facilitate the election of an abstentionist Sinn Fein MP who still cannot condemn IRA violence.
“We acknowledge this decision will be welcomed by some and will disappoint others, but we believe it is in the best interests of our country and the Union.” On Friday it emerged police were investigating threats made against UUP staff members over the row. These were
condemned by Mr Aiken who said: “In a modern democracy no one should have to face threats, intimidation or coercion of any sort because of their involvement in the democratic process. “It is appalling and totally reprehensible and should have no place in Northern Ireland in the 21st century.” Earlier, former UUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott refused to confirm if he will stand in the General Election.
He found himself at the centre of speculation on Saturday after DUP leader Arlene Foster said her party would back him as the agreed unionist candidate. She added she believes in unionist parties working together to maximise representation. A previous pact saw Mr Elliott secure the seat in 2015 but Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew won it back two years later.
Mr Elliott said: “There is a selection meeting this week, I am not saying anything more at the moment.” It is understood it will take place on Thursday.