UUP pair pictured 'supporting' DUP candidate

The Ulster Unionist Party was facing an embarrassing pre-election snub today when two of its most high profile members allegedly expressed support for the DUP candidate for South Belfast.

Former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux and outgoing South Belfast MP Rev. Martin Smyth have been photographed with DUP candidate Jimmy Spratt as well as being quoted as expressing support for the former RUC Federation Chief who is standing against senior UUP man Michael McGimpsey.

Mr Spratt said: "The photograph speaks for itself - both gentlemen have made comments on the literature... I have got other support from within the Official Unionist Party (UUP)," he said. "The two gentlemen came to back me voluntarily - I didn't have any contact with them myself before last Friday."

However, Mr McGimpsey said the photograph itself was not an endorsement, “despite DUP spin”.

“The Queen has been pictured with Ian Paisley,” he said. “This does not mean that the House of Windsor supports the DUP.”

SDLP South Belfast candidate Alasdair McDonnell said the unionists' intervention "has further opened up the constituency".

"This is a three-horse race. The views of these two gentlemen are settled and well-known and can hardly come as any surprise. They have consistently opposed change," he said.

Sinn Fein vice-president Pat Doherty said he would not be surprised at the support given to Mr Spratt from Lord Molyneaux and Rev. Smith.

“Jimmy Spratt was for many years the spokesperson for the rank and file RUC members,” Mr Doherty said. “He has always demonstrated an open hostility to the development of the peace process. Likewise Jim Molyneaux has never disguised his opposition to the Good Friday Agreement or the political process which give rise to it.”

(MB/GB)