FORMER OMAGH BOMB INVESTIGATOR CALLS FOR CROSS-COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN ELECTION
Former Omagh bomb investigator calls for cross-community support in election
BY AILEEN MURPHY
THE RUC officer who led the Omagh bomb investigation is only interested in standing as a candidate in this year's Westminster election if he feels it is on the basis of cross-community support.
Norman Baxter's name has been linked as a possible 'unity' unionist candidate for the constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
However, Mr Baxter has said he is more interested in the idea of a 'community' candidate for the area,
Meanwhile, unionists in the constituency have all committed to finding a solution which they feel will help them win back the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster seat from Sinn Fein.
It is understood discussions are still on-going to find either a unity candidate or to form an electoral pact between the Ulster Unionists and the DUP.
Arlene Foster, DUP and Tom Elliott, UUP have both been nominated by their party to contest the seat which is currently held by Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein.
With both Mrs Foster and Mr Elliott being popular candidates in the area the unionist vote is likely to be badly split, and in all likelihood would see Sinn Fein re-take the seat.
To avoid this conclusion discussions have been ongoing for quite some time to see if the two parties can reach a deal.
Both Mrs Foster and Mr Elliott have indicated they would be willing to stand down if a suitable deal was reached.
Mrs Foster said, "We are up for finding a solution to this and would like to see a unionist winning the Westminster seat. Whether that is through a unity candidate or a pact we don't know yet."
Mr Elliott maintains a similar position saying, "There is the need to find a way forward to win the seat back for unionists."
Meanwhile there has been speculation that Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) could field a candidate in the constituency, splitting the vote in a third direction. They also committed to looking for a way forward. TUV representative, Sammy Morrison said, "The TUV would consider standing aside if a suitable individual was proposed. We would have to look at the policies of that person, if a non-party candidate did come forward.
"But they need to be someone with no political baggage, and not come from either the DUP of the Ulster Unionist party," he added
BY AILEEN MURPHY
THE RUC officer who led the Omagh bomb investigation is only interested in standing as a candidate in this year's Westminster election if he feels it is on the basis of cross-community support.
Norman Baxter's name has been linked as a possible 'unity' unionist candidate for the constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
However, Mr Baxter has said he is more interested in the idea of a 'community' candidate for the area,
Meanwhile, unionists in the constituency have all committed to finding a solution which they feel will help them win back the Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster seat from Sinn Fein.
It is understood discussions are still on-going to find either a unity candidate or to form an electoral pact between the Ulster Unionists and the DUP.
Arlene Foster, DUP and Tom Elliott, UUP have both been nominated by their party to contest the seat which is currently held by Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein.
With both Mrs Foster and Mr Elliott being popular candidates in the area the unionist vote is likely to be badly split, and in all likelihood would see Sinn Fein re-take the seat.
To avoid this conclusion discussions have been ongoing for quite some time to see if the two parties can reach a deal.
Both Mrs Foster and Mr Elliott have indicated they would be willing to stand down if a suitable deal was reached.
Mrs Foster said, "We are up for finding a solution to this and would like to see a unionist winning the Westminster seat. Whether that is through a unity candidate or a pact we don't know yet."
Mr Elliott maintains a similar position saying, "There is the need to find a way forward to win the seat back for unionists."
Meanwhile there has been speculation that Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) could field a candidate in the constituency, splitting the vote in a third direction. They also committed to looking for a way forward. TUV representative, Sammy Morrison said, "The TUV would consider standing aside if a suitable individual was proposed. We would have to look at the policies of that person, if a non-party candidate did come forward.
"But they need to be someone with no political baggage, and not come from either the DUP of the Ulster Unionist party," he added
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/092
Published Date: 22-Feb-10
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