Convention defeat for Catholic unionist

A Catholic unionist, Ms Patricia Campbell, was placed third in the Ulster Unionist Party's contest to select a candidate to run against the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, in North Antrim in the coming British general election.

An international investment banker, Mr James Leslie (38), was the surprise winner in the contest on Saturday. The favourite was Mr John Junkin, the leader of the Ulster Unionists on Magherafelt council and a long time activist in the area.

Mr Junkin, in his 50s, is a chicken farmer and a mid Ulster representative for the party at the Northern Ireland Forum. Mr Leslie returned last year from Hong Kong after 15 years.

Ms Campbell is an Oxford University graduate, whose father was a senior RUC officer in north Antrim. In her early 30s, she works in the party's information office in London with Mr David Burnside, who was director of public relations for British Airways during its controversial campaign against Virgin Airways. Although Ms Campbell came third, party associates say it was a very good showing for her "first time out".

Last Friday the party selected Mr Jeffrey Donaldson (34) to succeed the former party leader Sir James Molyneaux (76), who is standing down in the Lagan Valley constituency.

Mr Donaldson, a close ally of the party leader, Mr David Trimble, is a member of the Forum and on the party's negotiating team at Stormont.

The financial consultant polled 213 votes at the convention compared with 78 votes for his nearest rival, Mr David Campbell, also a member of the Forum. He will defend a majority of 23,500 and is expected to become the youngest MP in Northern Ireland.

Ms Campbell, Mr Leslie and Mr Donaldson are among the growing number of young professionals in the party with political ambitions.

Although Mr Leslie came on the political scene in the North only when he contested the Forum elections last May, a party colleague pointed out that he polled more votes on that occasion than the DUP's Mid Ulster MP, the Rev William McCrea. His family are well known farmers in the area and long standing members of the Ulster Unionist Party.