AN Ulster Unionist Belfast City alderman, Mr Jim Kirkpatrick, yesterday announced his defection to the DUP, accusing the UUP leadership of going soft on the union.
Mr Kirkpatrick, an Ulster Unionist for more than 30 years and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly between 1982 and 1986, will stand as a DUP candidate in the south Belfast region in the forthcoming local government elections.
"My commitment nor the commitment of the rank and file unionists has not changed during the last 30 years but it is with profound regret that serious weaknesses in the Unionist leadership has been revealed by John Taylor and David Trimble," said Mr Kirkpatrick.
He accused Mr Taylor of being prepared to renegotiate the union.