A grassroots revolt within the UUP aiming for a no confidence vote to be held in party officers who “forced” out leader Doug Beattie is gathering steam, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.
Spearheaded by former North Belfast Assembly candidate Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston, the campaign ultimately wants Mr Beattie back as leader of the party.
They are seeking to gather 30 signatures of members of the UUP’s Executive Committee in order for a wider meeting of representatives to be called and a no confidence vote held.
Meanwhile, it is understood the current favourite in the leadership race – which is happening in parallel with the grassroots campaign – is Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Sources say deputy leader Robbie Butler has ruled himself out of the race.
Mr Beattie’s resignation followed a row over the selection of councillor Colin Crawford to fill Robin Swann’s North Antrim Assembly seat, after the latter was elected to Westminster.
Long-serving Ballymoney councillor Darryl Wilson was widely tipped for the post, and was interviewed, but was ultimately overlooked. It is understood Mr Beattie wanted Mr Wilson in the Assembly post.
It is alleged by supporters of Mr Beattie that Mr Wilson “came out on top” following the interview process, but the North Antrim Association instead chose to select Mr Crawford as their candidate.
Ms Corr-Johnston said she believes a majority of party officers – not including Doug Beattiee – went along with the association’s selection “to avoid a crisis, in spite of the party’s rules”.
“Doug didn’t agree with this on principle, he felt the rules and due process must be followed. They weren’t and he clearly felt he had to go.”
One source said there is “serious anger” among UUP members about how the situation has unfolded.
“Essentially there’s the party officers, who want more control over the party, but then there’s MLAs who want control of their brief and don’t want to be told what to do all the time,” the said.
“And also there are lots of grassroots members unhappy with how the things between Doug and other party officers played out.”
A UUP spokesperson was asked about the campaign against the party officers.
"The Ulster Unionist Party has no comment on this,” they said.
by Opposite-Island-6405
3 comments
Some key points here:
– Campaign to reinstate Doug Beattie as UUP leader
– Mike Nesbitt is favourite to return as UUP leader
– Deputy leader Robbie Butler has ruled himself out
This is some SDLP-level pants-shitting.
I love chaos.