DUP steps aside from Fermanagh South Tyrone contest

The Democratic Unionist Party will step aside for their rivals the Ulster Unionist Party in the Fermanagh South Tyrone constituency.

DUP leader Arlene Foster made the announcement as the UUP comes under pressure to make a reciprocal gesture by not running a candidate against her deputy Nigel Dodds in North Belfast.

In a statement on Saturday, Mrs Foster said she believes in unionist co-operation and parties working together to maximise representation.

But incoming UUP leader Steve Aiken has indicated he is not in favour of participating in unionist pacts for the December 12th poll.

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A unionist pact saw Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott win the Fermanagh South Tyrone Westminster seat in 2015, but Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew won the seat back in 2017.

Mrs Foster said: “The people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone deserve to be represented in the House of Commons rather than an absentee MP standing on the sidelines.

“Despite the DUP being the largest unionist party in the constituency, it is right to put wider interest ahead of narrow party politics and indicate our support for Tom Elliott to re-take this seat.

“This is something voters from across the unionist community want to see happening and we will be urging DUP supporters to put their full weight behind Tom’s campaign.

"Every vote will matter in this election and the votes of Northern Ireland MPs could again be crucial in the new Parliament.

“It is more important than ever to have MPs who will turn up and speak up for their constituents where it matters — inside the House of Commons.”

Sinn Féin last week singled out Mr Dodds, who won a majority of just over 2,000 votes in North Belfast in 2017, as one of its key targets as it aims to increase its number of MPs from seven to eight.

The party is running Belfast Lord Mayor John Finucane against Mr Dodds.

It emerged last week that police are investigating threats again Ulster Unionist staff members over the electoral pact row.

Mr Dodds, who was canvassing in North Belfast on Saturday, said any threats issued towards members and activists from the UUP were “deplorable and must be totally condemned”.

In a statement on Friday night, he said: “The only appropriate way to express your views and the most effective way to send a message in our society is through the ballot box.”

Sinn Féin’s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly MLA, who ran unsuccessfully for the party in Westminster elections in North Belfast before he was replaced by Mr Finucane, said: “It’s been reported that threats against UUP staff members have been issued by elements within the UDA.

“This group has recently been involved in murder, extortion, threats and intimidation.

“This is a time for political leadership - people should be free to campaign politically without fear of intimidation.” - Additional reporting PA