Taylor urges Nicholson to withdraw from European poll

The Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, has urged the party's MEP and candidate in the summer European elections, Mr Jim Nicholson, to withdraw from the election or face losing the seat to Sinn Fein.

Mr Taylor said yesterday that Mr Nicholson, who has been under political pressure because of a past extra-marital affair, would "save the party a lot of embarrassment if he did stand aside".

Mr Nicholson was reselected last year as the party candidate to contest the June European elections but, said Mr Taylor, he should now reconsider his position. Mr Nicholson was not available for comment yesterday.

Mr Taylor made his call following Saturday's annual meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council, the governing body of the UUP, in which Mr Nicholson was narrowly re-elected to the position of party vice-president.

Mr Nicholson won 349 votes from the estimated 600 delegates present, just managing to resist the challenge from anti-Belfast Agreement MP Mr William Ross, who took 333 votes.

Mr Taylor expressed concern that if there were a significant drop in Mr Nicholson's vote the Sinn Fein candidate, expected to be Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, could win the seat.

Mr Nicholson's difficulties emerged two weeks ago when the Belfast-based News Letter, a pro-unionist daily, disclosed details of an extra-marital affair in which Mr Nicholson was involved.

Mr Nicholson admitted the affair but said it was over. On Saturday, when the media was excluded, he expressed regret to the council about the damage the disclosure caused to the party. He also attacked the News Letter and claimed that a senior party member was conspiring against him, according to delegates.

If Mr Nicholson did not withdraw from the election Mr Taylor suggested the UUP put up a running mate to help ensure the party held the seat.