Foster To Contest SF Seat

Arlene Foster will stand at the next general election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, in a direct challenge to Sinn Féin.

DUP members last night unanimously backed Ms Foster (pictured) as the party's candidate for the seat, which is currently occupied by SF's Michelle Gildernew.

Both women are ministerial colleagues at the Stormont Executive.

Ms Foster's selection could indicate she is preparing to step aside from the Assembly, as part of the DUP's policy on phasing out so-called 'double-jobbing' - whereby politicians serve as MLAs and Members of Parliament.

The party's stance has already seen MPs Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell and Jeffrey Donaldson give up their ministerial posts to focus on Westminster work.

Speaking at Crilly Orange Hall last night, Ms Foster said: "It is a great honour to be asked to fight for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and I will do so to the best of my ability.

"The result of the last Westminster election coupled with the recent by-election in Enniskillen demonstrates that only the DUP is strong enough to return Fermanagh and South Tyrone to pro-Union hands."

The DUP has sought a pact with the UUP, which could see united unionist canvassing in the area.

DUP Leader Peter Robinson described Ms Foster, the NI Enterprise Minister, a "winner".

"She proved that when she polled almost two-thirds of the unionist vote in the last election and saw off a Sinn Féin challenge in the Enniskillen by-election," he told party members.

"She will be an excellent representative serving this constituency in the House of Commons."

See: Some DUP MLAs Won't Renew 'Double Mandate'

(PR/BMcC)