McGimpsey says no to Tory merger

Senior UUP member Chris McGimpsey has stated his opposition to a mooted merger between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Conservatives.

Outlining his position in the Observer newspaper Mr McGimpsey said a merger would "deprive working-class Northern Ireland of an important voice".

DUP Assembly Member Edwin Poots has welcomed the statement.

Mr Poots said that the move showed that there are "clear divisions with the Ulster Unionist party".

"I am pleased that Mr. McGimpsey has broken ranks and stated his very real concerns about joining the Tories. David and Reg's Tory merger seems to be falling apart before it has really got of the ground," he said.

Brother of Northern Ireland Health Secretary Michael McGimpsey, Chris McGimpsey claims that there are clear benefits to Mr Cameron's Tory party by contesting seats in every corner of the UK.

However he doesn't sees a benefit to the UUP by joining in the merger.