The Ulster Unionist Party’s only MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, has decided not to stand in her constituency of North Down under the UUP-Tory alliance in the forthcoming UK general election.
Lady Hermon had until 5pm yesterday to decide whether she would run in North Down under the umbrella of Ulster Conservatives and Unionists New Force, which would have meant her taking the Tory whip in the House of Commons.
Minutes after the deadline passed, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey and UUP chairman David Campbell issued a statement saying she would not be standing for the new force.
Lady Hermon had no comment to make as to whether she would stand in the constituency as an Independent or aligned to some other party.