Three candidates for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party face election next week.
Following close of nominations at 5pm yesterday, party president Lord Rogan confirmed that the names of Sir Reg Empey, former Stormont trade minister, and Assembly members Alan McFarland and David McNarry would be put to a ballot at the party's egm next Friday.
David Trimble was forced to resign shortly after the May 5th general election results. He lost his Upper Bann seat to the DUP and only one Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, was safely returned to parliament.
Lord Maginnis, former Fermanagh-South MP Ken Maginnis and Lord Kilclooney, former Strangford MP John Taylor will not stand for the leadership. They had offered themselves as possible candidadtes. Lord Maginnis said he would be happy to stand aside if a younger candidate espousing his beliefs stepped forward. He is thought to be endorsing Sir Reg Empey.
Lord Kilclooney has described the three candidates as "had-beens" and suggested himself as an interim leader while another figure is identified. He suggested approaching Col Tim Collins who is not a party member but the former Iraq war veteran declined.