Ervine savours win in grudge match

It was evident at the European election count centre in Belfast yesterday that whatever about the Paisley-Hume contest the real grudge affair was between Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party and the UK Unionist Party leader, Mr Robert McCartney.

Mr McCartney hoped to take about 70,000 votes, but in the end had to be satisfied with 20,283 first preferences. Most galling of all though, was that he was behind Mr Ervine, who won 22,494. This is a rivalry that will continue as long as they remain in politics. Yesterday Mr Ervine savoured his victory. "I want to pass on commiserations to Mr McCartney from Finn Mac Cumhaill and the Cookie Monster," he said.

This was a reference to Mr McCartney's comments during the campaign when he said in reference to a rather moody, brooding electoral broadcast by Mr Ervine that the people of Northern Ireland didn't go in for the "Finn Mac Cumhaill, Cookie Monster" type of electioneering.

Mr Ervine was not "remotely surprised" he polled higher than Mr McCartney. He believed the "tub-thumping" criticism made against him had backfired. "I was quite delighted frankly. I think it is a humbling affair that is more likely to be visited upon Mr McCartney," he added.

But Mr McCartney was not in any mood to evince humility. When some PUP supporters jeered him with the Finn Mac Cumhaill-Cookie Monster jibe he just smiled and said, "60-40, 6040" - a reference to anti-Belfast Agreement candidates winning 60 per cent of the unionist vote.

And in reference to a remark by the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, that the vote for Mr McCartney and Mr Ervine represented "the end of fringe unionism" Mr McCartney said: "It's the end, or the beginning of the end, of David Trimble."