THE writer and former Government minister Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien, has been invited to stand as a candidate for the UK Unionist Party in the forthcoming elections.
A spokesman for the party said that its leader, the North Down MP, Mr Bob McCartney QC, was eager for Dr O'Brien to take part in all party negotiations which start on June 10th.
"Bob is very keen to utilise Dr O'Brien's expertise", he said. "He would be invaluable in Strand Two of the talks which discuss North South relations. He knows the mindset of the Department of Foreign Affairs so well. He would be an enormous asset to us.
The spokesman said that several options were open to Dr O'Brien. He could stand as a candidate in the May 30th elections as there was no requirement that candidates live in the North.
If he did not wish to take part in the campaign, he could be added to the party's "top up list". The 10 parties which poll the most votes will be able to send an extra two delegates to all party negotiations. These delegates need not have contested the election.