Members of the United Unionist Assembly Party have said they have no plans to form a coalition with Mr Robert McCartney's UK Unionist Party which could earn them a seat on the shadow executive. The new party is made up of former Ulster Unionist members. It has three seats in the Assembly.
There had been speculation that it could join forces with the five UK Unionists and possibly secure a seat on the shadow executive. However, last night, one of its members, Mr Boyd Douglas from East Derry, said it had no such plans.
He said the party was interested in recruiting any anti-agreement UUP members who were dissatisfied with their leader's position. Mr Douglas said: "We have no plans to join up with any other party but we are interested in expanding ourselves. If other Ulster Unionist Assembly members agree with our position, they are more than welcome into our ranks." The new party is lead by Mr Denis Watson, the Grand Master of the Orange Order in Co Armagh. Its third Assembly seat is held by Mr Fraser Agnew from North Belfast.
The three members all resigned from the UUP last week after they faced disciplinary hearings for allegedly breaking party rules by contesting the Assembly elections as Independents.
