TUV And DUP Reach Council Agreement

Hardline unionist Jim Allister (pictured) last night withdrew his challenge for a council by-election in Ballymoney.

Traditional Unionist Voice members reached a "mutually advantageous" agreement with the DUP, leaving the Democratic Unionists free to co-opt the seat left vacant by Roy Wilson.

Mr Wilson was replaced by party colleague Robert Halliday, despite earlier suggestions Mr Allister would seek to battle the DUP at the local polls.

It is believed the deal was struck between both parties following two weeks of negotiations.

The pact means the DUP will not call a by-election in Craigavon when TUV councillor Mark Russell stands down.

"Mark Russell, for personal and business reasons, will shortly stand down from Craigavon Council," said Mr Allister.

"When he does, the DUP has agreed not to oppose the co-option of a TUV replacement.

"In these circumstances it was mutually advantageous to both parties to follow the course agreed and thereby the ratepayers of both Ballymoney and Craigavon can be saved expense."

Mr Allister's party has also reached an understanding with the Ulster Unionist Party about the Craigavon co-opt.

The TUV's swing at the European elections in June is said to have rocked the Democratic Unionists.

The DUP's first preference vote fell to 18.2%, from 32% in 2004, when Mr Allister was the party's candidate.

Despite failing to retain his MEP seat, Mr Allister gained almost 70,000 votes - gains believed to be made at the cost of the DUP.

Mr Allister has since said he is prepared to contest former first minister Ian Paisley's North Antrim parliamentary seat at the next general election.

Meanwhile, republican splinter group eirigi has revealed it will field candidates in the next local government elections.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the republican socialists said they would place around a dozen potential councillors across Northern Ireland.

However, activists have insisted they will not run for a Westminster seat, nor are they interested in Assembly representation.

The groups is still not registered as an official political party, but claims to have around 200 heavily vetted supporters.

"Certainly a lot of members involved come from a military background and make no apology for that. But there is no appetite for going back to armed struggle at the moment," spokesman Eamann Mac Manais told the Belfast Telegraph.

Two former eirigi members are currently facing charges relating to the murders of soldiers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, who were gunned down at an Antrim army barracks in March.

(PR/KMcA)