THE former Ulster Unionist Party leader, Sir James Molyneaux, has announced that he will not contest the next British general election. Mr Molyneaux, who resigned as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party last year and was replaced by Mr David Trimble, has been an MP since 1970.
Beneath his mild manner, Mr Molyneaux (76) became renowned as a tough and passionate advocate of unionist principles and, like all politicians in the North, he lived in constant fear of the assassin's bullet.
He survived two INLA attempts to murder him in one day in October, 1982, when he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Although sometimes eclipsed by the sheer force of personality and fiery rhetoric of Dr Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist Party leader, Mr Molyneaux remained his own man both ate Westminster and Stormont.
He represented South Antrim from 1970 to 1983 and has held the new seat of Lagan Valley since 1983. He led the party for 16 years from 1979.