DUP candidate: Jim Allister

Jim Allister: DUP candidate

Background: Jim Allister is returning to electoral politics in this Euro-poll, after the party leader, Ian Paisley, retired from Europe to focus on the talks process.

Before quitting politics in 1987, Mr Allister had been a prominent DUP member and had acted as Mr Paisley's personal assistant in the European Parliament.

He fell out with the party leader when the DUP decided not to contest the East Antrim constituency due to a voting pact with the UUP following the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Mr Allister had come close to winning the Westminster seat at the previous election.

He turned to a career in law as a barrister. At 51, Mr Allister is ready to return to active politics. He is unashamedly Euro-sceptic and has promised to campaign against the new draft EU constitution.

He has warned that an enlarged EU would bring in low wage economies that could lure international investment away from Northern Ireland.

Mr Allister, like his party, wants to renegotiate the Good Friday Agreement and he has played a part in the review talks at Stormont.

Electoral record: Last contested elections in the 1980s, previously elected to 1982 assembly for North Antrim, and Newtownabbey Borough Councillor (1985-87).

Key issues:

Topping the poll

Opposing the euro and the draft European constitution on grounds it cedes too much UK sovereignty to Europe

Non-cooperation with Sinn Fein if the party is elected to Europe as long as the party is linked to the IRA.