UUP MLAs urged to back Hoey leadership challenge

The Ulster Unionist planning to challenge David Trimble for the party leadership has written to 13 UUP MLAs seeking support for his campaign.

David Hoey, an Apprentice Boy from Coleraine, Co Derry, told the Assembly members that Saturday’s leadership contest provided the perfect opportunity for the UUP to “vote for change”.

The anti-agreement faction of the party is believed to be behind Mr Hoey’s challenge and the politician himself has vowed to stand aside and let a new leadership take over if he wins this weekend’s vote.