This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8495021.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Tory-UUP candidates list due Tory-UUP candidates list due
(27 minutes later)
A joint candidate list for the Ulster Unionists and Conservatives is expected to be finalised in the next two weeks, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has said.A joint candidate list for the Ulster Unionists and Conservatives is expected to be finalised in the next two weeks, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has said.
He added that he would deal with the situation regarding North Down MP Sylvia Hermon, who disagrees with the UUP-Tory pact, but did not elaborate.He added that he would deal with the situation regarding North Down MP Sylvia Hermon, who disagrees with the UUP-Tory pact, but did not elaborate.
Sir Reg also indicated that he thought a united unionist party was "a generation away".Sir Reg also indicated that he thought a united unionist party was "a generation away".
Earlier he said there would be no merger between his party and the DUP.Earlier he said there would be no merger between his party and the DUP.
He said that no deal had been made and the UUP were 100% committed to the link with the Conservatives.He said that no deal had been made and the UUP were 100% committed to the link with the Conservatives.
BitternessBitterness
It is understood an Ulster Unionist executive meeting on Tuesday night rejected what were described as "bogus unionist unity talks".It is understood an Ulster Unionist executive meeting on Tuesday night rejected what were described as "bogus unionist unity talks".
During an interview with the BBC on Wednesday afternoon, Sir Reg said that a single unionist party was a long way off but he did not rule out co-operation in the meantime, noting that many prominent DUP members were former members of his party.During an interview with the BBC on Wednesday afternoon, Sir Reg said that a single unionist party was a long way off but he did not rule out co-operation in the meantime, noting that many prominent DUP members were former members of his party.
While conceding that there was bitterness within his party about the way it had been treated by the DUP in the past, he said the "wider community" were willing to see co-operation.While conceding that there was bitterness within his party about the way it had been treated by the DUP in the past, he said the "wider community" were willing to see co-operation.
Following the executive meeting, one UUP source told BBC political editor Mark Devenport there was a determination "not to pull the DUP out of a hole".Following the executive meeting, one UUP source told BBC political editor Mark Devenport there was a determination "not to pull the DUP out of a hole".
"It looks like the UUP have now made a decision to opt with the Conservatives rather than pursue very much further these discussions of a closer relationship with the DUP," our political editor said."It looks like the UUP have now made a decision to opt with the Conservatives rather than pursue very much further these discussions of a closer relationship with the DUP," our political editor said.
SecretSecret
Last month, the BBC learned that the Orange Order convened secret unity talks between the two main unionist parties, the DUP and UUP, in early December.Last month, the BBC learned that the Orange Order convened secret unity talks between the two main unionist parties, the DUP and UUP, in early December.
Party leaders Peter Robinson and Sir Reg Empey attended the talks at the Orange Order's headquarters in Belfast, where the two parties discussed the possibility of electoral pacts and forming a unionist bloc at Stormont.Party leaders Peter Robinson and Sir Reg Empey attended the talks at the Orange Order's headquarters in Belfast, where the two parties discussed the possibility of electoral pacts and forming a unionist bloc at Stormont.
The talks did not involve the Tories, the UUP's current election partner.The talks did not involve the Tories, the UUP's current election partner.
David Cameron and Sir Reg Empey forged an alliance in 2008David Cameron and Sir Reg Empey forged an alliance in 2008
The discussions at Schomberg House were also attended by the DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds and the Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry.The discussions at Schomberg House were also attended by the DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds and the Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry.
They were chaired by the Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters and the Grand Secretary Drew Nelson.They were chaired by the Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters and the Grand Secretary Drew Nelson.
The talks took place prior to last month's secret discussions between the two parties at Hatfield House in England which were chaired by the Conservative spokesman Owen Paterson.The talks took place prior to last month's secret discussions between the two parties at Hatfield House in England which were chaired by the Conservative spokesman Owen Paterson.
Last month, two former Conservative candidates, who may have contested the general election as part of the UUP/Tory pact, withdrew their nominations partly because of a possible deal between the Ulster Unionists and DUP.Last month, two former Conservative candidates, who may have contested the general election as part of the UUP/Tory pact, withdrew their nominations partly because of a possible deal between the Ulster Unionists and DUP.
Sheila Davidson and Peter McCann said they feared the Ulster Unionists would do a separate deal with the DUP.Sheila Davidson and Peter McCann said they feared the Ulster Unionists would do a separate deal with the DUP.
The UUP's decision could have wider repercussions for the current political impasse over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland, as some believe Sinn Fein has held off on its threat to collapse the assembly out of concerns the unionist parties would form an electoral pact in any assembly election which would follow.The UUP's decision could have wider repercussions for the current political impasse over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland, as some believe Sinn Fein has held off on its threat to collapse the assembly out of concerns the unionist parties would form an electoral pact in any assembly election which would follow.