MEP hints at new unionist party

Jim Allister left the DUP over its devolution move

Independent MEP Jim Allister has reiterated that unionists who oppose the current power-sharing arrangement may form a new political party.

The former DUP politician said a lot could happen between now and the next assembly election in 2011.

"If, at that stage, there is a vibrant political party then it would fight that election and it would take seats," he told BBC's Politics Show.

The MEP quit the DUP in March over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein.

Mr Allister told the programme that the new party "would not enter into a mandatory coalition government".

"Fundamentally, we reject that as anti-democratic, as an absurd way to rule any country because it denies the right to opposition," he said.

At a meeting in Tyrone in September, Mr Allister said it was clear that unionist unease and opposition to the DUP and Sinn Fein in government was growing.

A number of councillors also quit the DUP after its devolution move.

The DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley said at that time that the electorate had rejected the "so-called political platform" of the disaffected unionists.

The Politics Show can be seen on BBC One at midday on Sunday.