All Ulster Unionist seats are vulnerable at the general election next month, Democratic Unionist Party leader Rev Ian Paisley claimed today.
As the DUP stepped up its election campaign with an event in Carrickfergus Castle in East Antrim, Dr Paisley welcomed the decision by former Ulster Unionist leader, Lord Molyneaux of Killead, and outgoing South Belfast MP, the Rev Martin Smyth, to appear on a campaign leaflet endorsing a DUP candidate.
On the leaflet, promoting former Police Federation chairman Jimmy Spratt in South
Dr Ian Paisley
Belfast, Rev Smyth, a former president of the Ulster Unionists, claimed he would "make an excellent member of Parliament".
Dr Paisley was in confident mood as he campaigned in Carrickfergus alongside the party's East Antrim candidate Sammy Wilson and North Down candidate Peter Weir.
"I believe that no Ulster Unionist seat is safe in this election," said Dr Paisley, the sitting member for North Antrim MP.
"I am not saying that because I want to believe it but because that is the report that I am getting. I know that the Northern Ireland Office has a special poll. They will not tell you what it is but I know what it is. That's what's frightening them and if that is so, then it could be a totally and utterly clean sweep."