Ross Takes-On Campbell In Election

The General Election has drawn out a veteran unionist in the battle for the North West vote.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party President William Ross (pictured) has been selected to contest the constituency from which he was ousted by the DUP in 2001 and will battle old rival Gregory Campbell in East Londonderry next month.

"Like many thousands of decent Ulster men and women I have been outraged by the general behaviour of many Members of Parliament, including some from Northern Ireland.

"They have fallen short of the high ideals they professed and which people expected of them.

"I was approached by many friends and members of the public who said that they were also deeply offended and that honesty and decency had to be restored to Ulster politics," he said.

"Those who spoke to me were former members of both DUP and UUP, others not involved in politics, but all were furious at having been misled and betrayed in succession by both parties over devolution and power-sharing with SF/IRA.

"The recent somersault by the DUP over Policing and Justice confirmed their opinion that they could not rely on the DUP to protect the future of Northern Ireland.

"It was also plain that many Unionists had deep concerns about the UUP/Conservative linkup.

"Most said it was very bad judgement as any UUP elected would be bound by the pact to always vote for every decision of the Conservative Party."

Mr Ross said he agreed to stand because "Ulster needs people with better judgement than those who have been leading in recent years".

(BMcC/GK)