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18/05/2009
Unionists Defection Revealed
Ulster Unionists have received a second political 'body-blow' today.
News that the boss of North Down Ulster Unionist Association has resigned from the party to join the DUP is bad news for the UU party Leader, Sir Reg Empey.
Last week's revelation by the party's sole Westminster MP, Lady Hermon that she would not stand under the Conservative and Unionist banner at the next election was already causing problems.
Now, Mark Brook's defection is underlining the discontent.
He said that he was unhappy with the UUP leadership's handling of the political alliance with the Conservatives.
He has been the Constituency Association Chairman for two years but was particularly unhappy at how the matter was dealt with by Sir Reg Empey.
He subsequently had a meeting with Lady Sylvia Hermon who is reported as having asked him to stay in the party - but he decided his future lay with the Democratic Unionist Party instead.
The UUP has linked up with the Tories to contest elections as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, but Lady Hermon said she was "disappointed".
"I can't see myself standing under a Conservative banner," she said, last week.
See: Empey 'Disappointed' By Sole MP Hermon
News that the boss of North Down Ulster Unionist Association has resigned from the party to join the DUP is bad news for the UU party Leader, Sir Reg Empey.
Last week's revelation by the party's sole Westminster MP, Lady Hermon that she would not stand under the Conservative and Unionist banner at the next election was already causing problems.
Now, Mark Brook's defection is underlining the discontent.
He said that he was unhappy with the UUP leadership's handling of the political alliance with the Conservatives.
He has been the Constituency Association Chairman for two years but was particularly unhappy at how the matter was dealt with by Sir Reg Empey.
He subsequently had a meeting with Lady Sylvia Hermon who is reported as having asked him to stay in the party - but he decided his future lay with the Democratic Unionist Party instead.
The UUP has linked up with the Tories to contest elections as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, but Lady Hermon said she was "disappointed".
"I can't see myself standing under a Conservative banner," she said, last week.
See: Empey 'Disappointed' By Sole MP Hermon
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Becoming dry and sunny along the east coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
