Would-be UUP leaders clash
TOM Elliott has accused his UUP leadership rival Basil McCrea of "demeaning" the party as acriomony enters the contest.
On a day where both men clashed about attending GAA matches or gay pride and the merits of closer UUP-DUP links, Mr Elliott sharply responded to his rival's criticism of several party veterans.
Quizzed on radio yesterday, Mr Elliott said that he had "moral objections" to attending either GAA matches or the gay pride event.
Contest could be closer than thought
The issue arose after Mr Elliott's campaign manager, Mike Nesbitt, wrote on his website congratulating the Down senior gaelic footballers for beating Kildare on Sunday and recalling how he had increased the BBC's GAA coverage while working for the corporation in the 1980s.
But, asked on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show whether he had a moral objection to attending either GAA or gay pride events, Mr Elliott said: "Well, I do, yes.
"I actually don't participate in those things and that's why I clearly feel that there is no reason why I should attend them."
However, he did not rule out attending either type of event in the future if it was "vital or necessary" and requested to do so by the party.
But Mr McCrea said that the party should extend its catchment area as wide as possible.
"I have a view of unionism that's open and transparent and progressive...I have actually been to both GAA matches and to gay pride," he said.
"I want to reach out to every member of society."
Mr Elliott dropped off the line shortly after Mr McCrea phoned the programme.
The Fermanagh MLA told the News Letter that he thought they should debate in private, rather than on the airwaves: "I had made clear with Basil and the party chairman yesterday (Thursday) that I was not going head-to-head in public.
"We are doing a series of debates with party members but don't think it's best in public."
Yesterday Mr Elliott also sharply hit back at Mr McCrea's accusation that three senior UUP figures – David McNarry, Fred Cobain and Danny Kennedy – were "dancing to the DUP's tune".
All three are supporting Mr Elliott's campaign and have backed the idea of linking the UUP and DUP.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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