Leader laughs off criticism from SDLP man he's backing

Mike Nesbitt has brushed aside the emergence of stinging criticism of him by the SDLP man to whom the UUP leader says he will give his second preference vote.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2017, 09:00 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2017, 09:46 BST
UUP leader Mike NesbittUUP leader Mike Nesbitt
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt

Séamas de Faoite has repeatedly savaged the UUP leader on Twitter over recent months.

Yesterday the Irish News highlighted how he had said that Mr Nesbitt is a leader who “sees opposition as a game”, someone who is “incapable of action” and who has an “evil plans book”.

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When the News Letter put those comments to Mr Nesbitt yesterday, he joked: “He’s been talking to my wife, hasn’t he?”

He then added: “What I’m trying to achieve is a stretch for some people. It’s not going to be easy, and if it was we would have done it by now. It’s 19 years since we made that committment to a fresh start...those are the values that I believe in and it doesn’t surprise me that people are poking fun and putting question marks against my motivation and whatever.”

He added: “I’m not deflected; I’m determined. Northern Ireland deserves better.”

Speaking to The Irish News, Mr de Faoite declined to say that he will reciprocate Mr Nesbitt’s gesture by transferring to the UUP before others.

Related topics:Mike NesbittSDLPUUPTwitterNorthern Ireland