Kennedy opts out of UUP race

The contest for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party will be between two members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The contest for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party will be between two members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Delegates to the party’s annual conference in Belfast on March 31st will choose between John McCallister (south Down) and Mike Nesbitt (Strangford).

Danny Kennedy (Newry and Armagh), the party’s only minister in the Stormont Executive announced today he would not be putting his name forward as a candidate to replace Tom Elliott.

He said: “A divisive leadership contest for the Ulster Unionist Party would not be in the best interests of the party.”

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Today is the closing date for nominations for the role.

PA