The Ulster Democratic Party, which is close to the thinking of the UDA, has decided not to field candidates in the forthcoming British general election.
Citing financial and logistical reasons, a spokesman called on the mainstream unionist parties to reach agreement on fielding a single unionist candidate where there was the possibility of a nationalist taking a seat.
"The UDP will not align itself with or lend endorsement to any individual or party involved in the electoral squabble" taking place within unionism.
