The Ulster Unionist MEP, Mr Jim Nicholson, has admitted he had a relationship with a married employee of Armagh District Council. The Belfast News Letter published details of the affair on Friday. The disclosure is a serious embarrassment to the UUP and could affect Mr Nicholson's chances of being re-elected to Brussels in June.
The European Parliament election promises to be a tough battle with the DUP candidate, the Rev Ian Paisley, pledging to turn it into a second referendum on the Belfast Agreement. The DUP, the SDLP and the UUP each hold one seat, but UUP sources are worried that their party could lose its seat to Sinn Fein if Mr Nicholson stands.