'Stand-Off' Forces North By-Election

A 'unionist stand-off' in the North has prompted a council by-election, which could cost local ratepayers up to £30,000.

In Craigavon, Co Armagh, the Traditional Unionist Voice councillor Mark Russell resigned from his Lurgan ward earlier this year.

The TUV had hoped to retain Mr Russell's seat by co-opting another party member.

However, the bid failed when candidate David Calvert could not secure a seconder.

Nationalist councillors abstained from voting, while the DUP and Ulster Unionists botched each other's choices.

A by-election is now expected to take place early next year, costing ratepayers between £25,000 and £30,000.

The TUV has accused the Democratic Unionists of reneging on an earlier agreement to prevent by-elections in Craigavon and Ballymoney.

TUV Leader Jim Allister said his party would not oppose the co-opting of a DUP councillor in Ballymoney if the same gesture was afforded to Traditional Unionists in Craigavon.

Last night the DUP did not oppose the TUV co-opt, but decided to back another candidate.

Mr Allister said the settlement in Ballymoney had been "shamelessly exploited".

"This TUV vacancy ought to have been filled by a TUV co-option, but the DUP welched on its agreement not to oppose a TUV co-option by proposing their own candidate," he said last night.

DUP councillor Stephen Moutray slammed the UUP for not supporting his party's nominee.

"It is an utter disgrace that the UUP decided to oppose this compromise candidate," he said.

Mr Moutray rejected criticism from Mr Allister, adding: "Our deal with Jim was that we would not oppose the co-option and we did not."

SDLP councillor Dolores Kelly described the wrangling as "a stand-off between the various shades of unionism on Craigavon Council".

(PR/BMcC)