The Ulster Unionist Party is in "a sorry state" and needs to change policy, one of the party's MPs said today.
Mr David Burnside spoke out as the UUP's 100-member executive prepared to meet today following the defection of three Assembly members, including Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, to the rival DUP.
The South Antrim MP, who last week resumed the party whip at Westminster after a seven-month dispute with the leadership over policy, said: "The party is in a sorry state in my opinion.
"We have to get a strategy where we no longer lose unionists like Jeffrey Donaldson and Arlene Foster. We also have to get away from the sad state of affairs where there are some in the party who are of the opinion that those with different views have no place in the UUP."
In November the UUP was overtaken in the Assembly elections by the DUP, which became the largest party in Northern Ireland. The UUP also fell behind Sinn Féin in the popular vote.
Mr Burnside said UUP members would have to "wait and see" if a leadership challenger would emerge at this year's annual general meeting.
However, the South Antrim MP said he would continue to urge the leadership from within the party to change policy.
PA