Numerical error over selection, says McClarty
A VETERAN Ulster Unionist MLA and a deputy speaker of the Assembly has queried a party vote which saw him miss out on the chance to defend his East Londonderry seat next year.
David McClarty was the shock casualty of a UUP selection meeting this week ahead of the Stormont elections.
But he told the News Letter last night that he believes there was a numerical error made in the complicated new points system used to narrow down candidates.
Mr McClarty – who has represented the constituency for the UUP since 1998 – claims he secured considerably more votes than nearest rivals David Harding and Lesley Macaulay.
But he is understood to have lost out narrowly at the second stage of the process, when an adjudicating panel is involved translating scores into overall points.
He posted on his Twitter profile on Tuesday that he was "very confused by the result as I was the clear leader in the early stages of the selection and I am the sitting MLA".
He added: "I am humbled today, not by the disappointing result, but the fantastic response of my wonderful constituents. So many of you! Thank you."
The plot was thickened further by another tweet on Tuesday night which read "not surprised to discover there has been a numerical error in the candidate selection process! Hopefully will be resolved asap!".
An Ulster Unionist Party spokesman said: "A standing selection committee met and the candidates will be ratified at a meeting of the party executive."
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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