Allister's 'good faith exploited'

A council by-election was forced because the DUP "welched" on a deal, TUV leader Jim Allister has said.

Councillors in Craigavon failed to agree on who should replace a TUV councillor who resigned.

In August, the TUV and DUP had agreed not to force by-elections in Craigavon or in Ballymoney, where a DUP member was co-opted onto the council.

Mr Allister said: "Our good faith in not forcing a by-election in Ballymoney has been shamelessly exploited."

Buoyed by success in June's European election where the TUV put a significant dent in the DUP's vote, Mr Allister had been indicating the TUV would force a by-election in Ballymoney, an area in the DUP's traditional north Antrim heartland.

However, the hardline unionist said in August that a deal had been reached where the DUP had agreed not to oppose the co-option of a TUV replacement in Craigavon.

At a Craigavon council meeting on Monday evening, the TUV's David Calvert was nominated by Independent Unionist David Jones.

However, no other councillor backed Mr Calvert, with the DUP instead supporting an independent "compromise candidate".

'Utter disgrace'

DUP councillor Stephen Moutray said Mr Allister's criticism was unwarranted.

"Our deal with Jim was that we would not oppose the co-option and we did not," he said.

"However if his party's nominee was unable, on two occasions, to gain a seconder within the council he can hardly blame the DUP - he should be asking why Mr Calvert was unable to gain that support."

Mr Moutray also hit out at the Ulster Unionist Party, saying its decision to oppose the compromise candidate was "an utter disgrace".

"We thought this well-respected local man would have been broadly acceptable to most people on the council - indeed we had received some positive indications to this effect from Ulster Unionists," he said.

"Had the DUP wanted to reclaim its seat, we would have proposed a DUP member, but in the spirit of unionist cooperation we tried to reach an accommodation."

The SDLP's Dolores Kelly said the election had been brought about "satisfy political egos".

The by-election will take place early next year at an estimated cost to ratepayers of £25,000 to £30,000.