A bitter war of words erupted today in Lagan Valley after a former Ulster Unionist Assembly member announced plans to run as an independent against rebel unionist Mr Jeffrey Donaldson.
Mr Ivan Davis, a member of the party for 16 years, submitted nomination papers, insisting he was running "to ensure that the wreckers do not succeed".
But his move was condemned by Mr Donaldson who accused him of putting "personal interests" before wider unionism.
After handing in his nomination papers in Banbridge, Mr Davis, a former mayor of Lisburn Borough Council, appealed to those who had come out in support of the Belfast Agreement to back his campaign.
Mr Davis, who was deselected by Ulster Unionists, said he had received some encouragement from within the party to go independent. He was not aware of any disciplinary action in the Ulster Unionist Party against him for running against the party.
"It would be ironic if such action was taken against me who has supported every Ulster Unionist Council [UUC] resolution over the past five years given the reluctance to discipline those who have flouted UUC decisions," he said.
Mr Donaldson said he was "disappointed" that Mr Davis had "decided to split the unionist vote".
Mr Donaldon said that Mr Davis, who has previously run for both the DUP and the UUP, has shown "no credibility" in making his move and has shown that he clearly puts his personal interests before the wider interests of unionism by his continual jumping around from party to party.
PA