DUP members 'contact McCartney'

Robert McCartney says unhappy DUP members are contacting him

UK Unionist leader Robert McCartney claims he has been contacted by numerous disaffected members of the DUP unhappy with the St Andrews Agreement.

He said they asked him to help run candidates opposing any deal in any election which would be held to endorse the agreement.

Speaking on Radio Ulster's Inside Politics Mr McCartney said his party could attract considerable support.

"I haven't solicited these contacts," Mr McCartney said.

"I have simply said to people: 'If you feel strongly enough, then you organise candidates. You let me have their CVs and the UKUP is a political party with a skeleton crew; if you wish to put a full crew on it, then I won't stop you'.

"I believe there are 21,000 votes at least out there of disappointed and despairing Ulster Unionists and DUP people who do not want Sinn Fein in government or with guaranteed places in government," Mr McCartney said.