Daphne Trimble fails in UUP Lagan Valley candidacy bid

The wife of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has failed in her bid to stand as a UUP candidate in Lagan Valley at the next general election following the defection of Jeffrey Donaldson to the DUP.

Daphne Trimble, who previously said she did not think the DUP spoke for the people of Lagan Valley, lost by 93 votes to 54 against UUP newcomer Basil McCrea.

Mr McCrea, a businessman from Hillsborough, said he was delighted to have been selected by the local UUP branch and paid tribute to Mrs Trimble.

"She is a very courageous lady who went forward for selection for all the right reasons," he said.

"This is what party politics and elections are all about, having two excellent candidates."

Mr McCrea will now face former UUP favourite Jeffrey Donaldson at next year’s General Election.

In last November's assembly election, Mr Donaldson topped the poll with just over 14,000 first preference votes.

In the 2001 general election, he received almost 26,000 votes - the highest figure for all Northern Ireland constituencies.

(MB/SP)