North Down Ulster Unionists will meet on May 9th to select a new general election candidate, it was confirmed today.
The meeting follows the deselection of anti-agreement Ulster Unionist Peter Weir who failed in a court action to prevent it proceding.
Mr Weir, a North Down assembly member, had been chosen to fight the seat held by United Kingdom Unionist Party leader Bob McCartney, but was suspended for defying the party whip in a number of Stormont debates.
Mr James McKerrow, secretary of the 260-strong Ulster Unionist Association, said the date was set after a management meeting last night.
Earlier this month Mr Justice Girvan ruled at Belfast High Court Mr Weir could no longer be considered as the party candidate and ruled a meeting to select a new candidate could take place.
Advertisements will appear in the local press tomorrow calling on potential candidates to come forward but already a number of possible names are being mentioned.
These include association chairman Lady Sylvia Hermon, who was defeated by Mr Weir last March; North Down councillor Mr Leslie Cree and Belfast councillor Mr Jim Rodgers, an anti-agreement member of the party executive.
Mr Weir has vowed to fight on but has been barred from attending next month's selection meeting.
PA