Ulster Unionist candidate for South Antrim David Burnside has said Catholics must be conscious of the message they are sending to Protestants by voting for Sinn Féin.
Outgoing MP Mr Burnside at his campaign launch in the Dunadry Inn in Co Antrim yesterday said the Sinn Féin and IRA leadership were duplicitous and could never be trusted.
"I hope my Roman Catholic fellow countrymen will please try and realise what message they are sending out to their Protestant neighbours by constantly voting for Sinn Féin," he said.
"If you look at Sinn Féin, if you look at the McCartney murder . . . what sort of message in community relations is that sending to their fellow countrymen?" asked Mr Burnside.
"We don't in the unionist community vote for criminals and terrorists. We vote for the Ulster Unionist Party," he added.
He said there must be no place for Sinn Féin in a Northern Executive. Mr Burnside also expressed concern that some in the DUP were sending out mixed signals about whether they would enter an executive with Sinn Féin.
"The DUP and my own party should make it crystal clear that if the price for Stormont is republican criminals in government then the union can survive without Stormont," added Mr Burnside.
Meanwhile, UUP leader David Trimble has said he does not believe Assembly member and candidate in the local elections Michael Copeland was engaged in any corrupt activity.
Mr Copeland has complained to the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan about searches of his Belfast home and offices last week as part of a money-laundering investigation. He has also complained that the PSNI officers involved in the case are refusing to meet him.
"I am quite sure that Michael has not acted corruptly in his position as councillor and MLA," said Mr Trimble. He added that Mr Copeland was willing to answer any questions put to him by police.
Because of the issue the UUP postponed until tomorrow the launch of its election manifesto.
