Unionist Blasts Duffy Candidacy Speculation

An Ulster Unionist has hit out at claims a suspected dissident republican may be preparing to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming European elections.

There has been widespread media speculation that Colin Duffy - who has been charged over the murders of two soldiers at the Massereene army barracks, Sapper Cengiz Azimkar and fellow soldier Mark Quinsey, (pictured here) - will seek nomination as a member of the European parliament.

Mr Duffy's Lurgan-based family has told the media they are currently weighing up the costs of running a campaign.

Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said any attempt by Mr Duffy to run would "offering nothing more than an agenda which would build higher walls and shed fresh blood".

Mr Nicholson said: "Northern Ireland has moved forward. Northern Ireland has continued to move forward. Change is coming and it's that change which people like Colin Duffy are so opposed to."

The MEP said all the political parties must take a "firm stand" against any candidate using this election as a "personal and perverted referendum on a return to terror".

(PR/BMcC)