The Ulster Unionist Party last night selected Mr Peter Weir, an anti-agreement assembly member, as its candidate in the North Down constituency for next year's UK general election.
In a reflection of last Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council meeting, party members in Bangor, Co Down, had to make their choice between a pro-agreement candidate, Lady Sylvia Hermon, and Mr Weir.
Mr Weir, a barrister, is one of the party's most prominent dissidents. In his mid-30s, he was born in Bangor, where he still lives. He graduated in law from Queen's University, Belfast, where he was active in student politics.
Mr Weir is associated with the strongly anti-agreement grouping within the UUP, the Young Unionists, as well as being a member of another anti-agreement body within the party, Union First.
Mr Weir lost the party whip last year and supported the Rev Martin Smyth in last Saturday's contest for the leadership of the UUP.
Lady Hermon is the second wife of the former RUC Chief Constable, Sir John Hermon. A farmer's daughter from Co Tyrone, she was a law graduate and lecturer at Queen's University before taking a career break to bring up her two young boys. She lives in Donaghadee, just outside Bangor, and is a member of the UUP's Patten Report working group and of its policy review committee.
The treasurer of the UUP's North Down Association, Ms Pamela Grant-Stevenson, was also competing for selection.
The constituency's sitting MP, Mr Robert McCartney, was a member of the UUP before breaking away to form his own party, the United Kingdom Unionist Party.
Mr Weir was "absolutely delighted" with his selection. He said he was confident he could beat Mr McCartney.