Statement from Ulster Unionist Assembly Group
“The Ulster Unionist party Assembly Group supports the views expressed by the Party Leader over the weekend, including at Friday night’s Dinner to commemorate the signing of the Ulster Covenant, in which he made two things clear.
“When a united front is required in the best interests of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist party will not be found wanting; but I also want the electorate to have a choice. In his speech Peter Robinson also conceded a single party is not an option. Let the matter rest at that.”
The Leader has indicated that following comments made at the weekend he had received many complaints about the use of the phrase 'sleepwalking into unionist unity'
The Ulster Unionist Assembly Group is confident that the views expressed by the Party Leader have the overwhelming support of the entire Party.”
ENDS
Statement from John McCallister MLA
“I am disappointed at the decision of Mike Nesbitt to remove me as Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party’s Assembly Group but I accept that he has the right.
I made comments in a speech to a Young Unionist dinner to mark the Centenary of the Ulster Covenant and I stated that I did not believe unity to be helpful to unionism or to Northern Ireland as a whole.
I am disappointed at the Leader’s decision as I believe that in the majority of my remarks I was quoting from the Leader’s speech at the Party Conference and I remain very supportive of his call to end sectarianism and tribal politics.”
ENDS