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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Two UUP men eye North Down MP job | Two UUP men eye North Down MP job |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The BBC has learned that two Ulster Unionists have applied to become the party's parliamentary candidate in North Down. | The BBC has learned that two Ulster Unionists have applied to become the party's parliamentary candidate in North Down. |
| It follows the announcement that Lady Sylvia Hermon will not be standing as a joint Conservative and Unionist candidate in the constituency. | It follows the announcement that Lady Sylvia Hermon will not be standing as a joint Conservative and Unionist candidate in the constituency. |
| Her decision has increased speculation that she may run as an independent in the General Election. | |
| The two UUP applications are from Johnny Andrews and Bill McKendry. | |
| Both men live outside the constituency. | |
| Mr Andrews, a grandson of former Northern Ireland Prime Minister JM Andrews, is currently a party officer and is from Comber. | |
| Mr McKendry recently applied to be the party's candidate in Strangford. | |
| That nomination was won by former UTV presenter Mike Nesbitt. | |
| Mr McKendry was part of Jim Nicholson's election team last year during the European Parliamentary campaign | |
| Tory whip | |
| If successful they have agreed to stand as a joint Conservative and Unionist candidate and take the Tory whip at Westminster. | If successful they have agreed to stand as a joint Conservative and Unionist candidate and take the Tory whip at Westminster. |
| Whoever is chosen will face opposition from the former Alliance Councillor Ian Parsley who the Conservatives have already selected. | Whoever is chosen will face opposition from the former Alliance Councillor Ian Parsley who the Conservatives have already selected. |
| A joint committee of Ulster Unionists and Conservatives will decide which candidate to run. | A joint committee of Ulster Unionists and Conservatives will decide which candidate to run. |
| A selection meeting for North Down is expected to be held next week. | |
| The Ulster Unionist Party was informed this week by Lady Hermon that she would not be seeking the nomination as a Conservative and Unionist candidate. | The Ulster Unionist Party was informed this week by Lady Hermon that she would not be seeking the nomination as a Conservative and Unionist candidate. |
| The North Down MP said she would not apply to stand for election under the joint Ulster Unionist and Conservative banner. | The North Down MP said she would not apply to stand for election under the joint Ulster Unionist and Conservative banner. |
| Sir Reg Empey and UUP Chairman David Campbell said they wished to record their regret at her decision. | Sir Reg Empey and UUP Chairman David Campbell said they wished to record their regret at her decision. |