This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21472784

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Basil McCrea 'likely to form new party' to challenge DUP and UUP Basil McCrea 'likely to form new party' to challenge DUP and UUP
(35 minutes later)
Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has said it is likely that he and John McCallister will set up a new party to challenge the DUP and the UUP.Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has said it is likely that he and John McCallister will set up a new party to challenge the DUP and the UUP.
Both men have quit the Ulster Unionist Party over the decision of the party to support a unionist unity candidate the Mid-Ulster by-election.Both men have quit the Ulster Unionist Party over the decision of the party to support a unionist unity candidate the Mid-Ulster by-election.
Nigel Lutton - the son of a former RUC reservist shot dead by the IRA in 1979 - will be the candidate.Nigel Lutton - the son of a former RUC reservist shot dead by the IRA in 1979 - will be the candidate.
Mr McCrea said he had "no confidence" in Mike Nesbitt as leader of the UUP.Mr McCrea said he had "no confidence" in Mike Nesbitt as leader of the UUP.
He said it was unlikely that he would be joining the Alliance party but said that he might form a new party.He said it was unlikely that he would be joining the Alliance party but said that he might form a new party.
"John and I intend to form a real and viable opposition, hopefully with others," he said."John and I intend to form a real and viable opposition, hopefully with others," he said.
Mr McCallister, former UUP deputy leader, revealed on BBC NI's politics show, The View, on Thursday evening, that he would quit.Mr McCallister, former UUP deputy leader, revealed on BBC NI's politics show, The View, on Thursday evening, that he would quit.
'Wrong decision''Wrong decision'
Mr McCrea announced his intention to resign on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan show on Friday.Mr McCrea announced his intention to resign on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan show on Friday.
"I have stated that I will not stay in an Ulster Unionist Party that is heading towards a merger with the DUP and the decision that the party took yesterday against the wishes of people like myself and John McCallister leaves me with no option but to say that I, too, will be resigning from the Ulster Unionist Party," he said."I have stated that I will not stay in an Ulster Unionist Party that is heading towards a merger with the DUP and the decision that the party took yesterday against the wishes of people like myself and John McCallister leaves me with no option but to say that I, too, will be resigning from the Ulster Unionist Party," he said.
"This is the wrong decision for the Ulster Unionist party, it is the wrong decision for the people of Northern Ireland and I will not stand by it. I will not stay in a party that cannot stand on its own two feet.""This is the wrong decision for the Ulster Unionist party, it is the wrong decision for the people of Northern Ireland and I will not stand by it. I will not stay in a party that cannot stand on its own two feet."
Mr McCrea added that it has been "clear for some time" that there was no future for him or Mr McCallister in the party.Mr McCrea added that it has been "clear for some time" that there was no future for him or Mr McCallister in the party.
He also criticised UUP leader Mike Nesbitt.He also criticised UUP leader Mike Nesbitt.
"I have no confidence in what Mike Nesbitt says. He came into this job with only nine months experience as an MLA, in fact he made a virtue of the fact that he had no big ideas. I haven't seen any ideas other than we need to get into bed with the DUP," he said."I have no confidence in what Mike Nesbitt says. He came into this job with only nine months experience as an MLA, in fact he made a virtue of the fact that he had no big ideas. I haven't seen any ideas other than we need to get into bed with the DUP," he said.
"There is an agenda in the party to get some kind of merger with the DUP for reasons that I don't understand and I have made quite clear that I will not be party to it."There is an agenda in the party to get some kind of merger with the DUP for reasons that I don't understand and I have made quite clear that I will not be party to it.
"The Ulster Unionist party has lost its way. It's no longer supporting the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.""The Ulster Unionist party has lost its way. It's no longer supporting the Belfast Good Friday Agreement."
'Bitter sectarian battle''Bitter sectarian battle'
Mr McCrea said he was no longer sure what the UUP stood for.Mr McCrea said he was no longer sure what the UUP stood for.
"I do not know what the Ulster Unionist Party stands for and I look to see what is the difference between it and the DUP. If there is no difference then they should merge."I do not know what the Ulster Unionist Party stands for and I look to see what is the difference between it and the DUP. If there is no difference then they should merge.
"If there is a difference, then they should stand on their own two feet. Fight elections on that and say to the people, we are different from our electoral opponents, please vote for us," he said."If there is a difference, then they should stand on their own two feet. Fight elections on that and say to the people, we are different from our electoral opponents, please vote for us," he said.
Referring to the choice of candidate for the Mid-Ulster by-election Mr McCrea said it would become a "bitter sectarian battle".Referring to the choice of candidate for the Mid-Ulster by-election Mr McCrea said it would become a "bitter sectarian battle".
"It is squaring up to be a bitter sectarian battle, going over things that happened many many years ago and whatever the rights and wrongs of those issues and obviously there were some tragic circumstances, do we really want to have the battles of the 1970s revisited," he said."It is squaring up to be a bitter sectarian battle, going over things that happened many many years ago and whatever the rights and wrongs of those issues and obviously there were some tragic circumstances, do we really want to have the battles of the 1970s revisited," he said.
Mr McCrea and Mr McCallister's profiles have been removed from the UUP website.
The Mid Ulster by-election due to take place in March was called to replace Martin McGuinness.The Mid Ulster by-election due to take place in March was called to replace Martin McGuinness.
Sinn Fein's candidate will be Francie Molloy and the SDLP candidate will be Patsy McGlone.Sinn Fein's candidate will be Francie Molloy and the SDLP candidate will be Patsy McGlone.
On Friday, the Alliance Party confirmed that their candidate will be Eric Bullick.On Friday, the Alliance Party confirmed that their candidate will be Eric Bullick.
Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt has responded by saying: "It is a matter of huge regret that following a unanimous vote of the Mid-Ulster Ulster Unionist constituency association, some individuals chose to attack the party on the airwaves.Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt has responded by saying: "It is a matter of huge regret that following a unanimous vote of the Mid-Ulster Ulster Unionist constituency association, some individuals chose to attack the party on the airwaves.
"With regard to comments made by John McCallister, if he is resigning on principle, why did he not resign over the selection of an agreed candidate in Rodney Connor in Fermanagh and South Tyrone? If he was unhappy with policies, why when I gave him the opportunity 11 months ago to shape policy via a constitutional commission did he not bother?," he said."With regard to comments made by John McCallister, if he is resigning on principle, why did he not resign over the selection of an agreed candidate in Rodney Connor in Fermanagh and South Tyrone? If he was unhappy with policies, why when I gave him the opportunity 11 months ago to shape policy via a constitutional commission did he not bother?," he said.
Mr Nesbitt also challenged the claims made by Mr McCrea.Mr Nesbitt also challenged the claims made by Mr McCrea.
"I reject Basil's claim that in my leadership campaign I advocated 'no big idea'. What I said was there was no quick fix and there was no 'big idea' beyond a long hard slog on the ground. Hard work was the big idea."I reject Basil's claim that in my leadership campaign I advocated 'no big idea'. What I said was there was no quick fix and there was no 'big idea' beyond a long hard slog on the ground. Hard work was the big idea.
"Basil's claim that there are no policies, he appears to have completely missed my 2012 conference speech in which a wide range of polices were outlined."Basil's claim that there are no policies, he appears to have completely missed my 2012 conference speech in which a wide range of polices were outlined.
"Basil also claimed there was no forum to discuss and debate policy and direction yet was the only MLA not to attend the last away day which is the forum for such debate and discussion," he said."Basil also claimed there was no forum to discuss and debate policy and direction yet was the only MLA not to attend the last away day which is the forum for such debate and discussion," he said.
Mr Nesbitt said his vision for a "revitalised, pluralist, non-sectarian progressive political party remains undimmed."Mr Nesbitt said his vision for a "revitalised, pluralist, non-sectarian progressive political party remains undimmed."