Former UUP Leader Dies Aged 94

Former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) James Molyneaux has died, aged 94.

Mr Molyneaux's political career spanned three decades.

He joined the UUP in 1946, and became one of its longest serving leaders.

Ulster Unionist Party Chairman Lord Empey has expressed his condolences to the family of Lord Molyneaux.

Lord Empey said: "Affectionately known to his senior colleagues as 'the wee man' Jim Molyneaux was never one to be carried away by the high offices he held over the years. Whether as a long serving Member of Parliament, as Party Leader or as a Member of the House of Lords, Jim was always a no frills politician.

"Having served as a Party Officer under his leadership I know of his dedication to his constituents, his ethic of hard work and his aversion to taking long holidays.

"He led the Ulster Unionist Party through some very turbulent times between 1979 and 1995 which involved widespread terrorist campaigns and great political turmoil. He was a calming influence during the Hunger Strikes, the Anglo Irish Agreement and on through to the IRA and loyalist ceasefires.

"Throughout all of this, his steady and unflappable leadership kept a safe hand on the tiller and prevented unionism falling into the traps that had been set by our traditional enemies. He never went in for the theatrical stunt or gesture, preferring instead to put forward his version of unionism through the proper and democratic channels of Parliament.

"I can pay no finer tribute than to say that Jim was a true son of Ulster and a gentleman."

(CD/IT)