English MP joins DUP

The first ever English MP for the Democratic Unionists was today challenged to seek a new mandate from his constituents following his decision to officially join the Reverend Ian Paisley’s Parliamentary team.

The DUP confirmed Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter, who was elected as a Conservative, has officially been allowed by to join its Westminster team.

However he was urged today by Basingstoke councillor and Labour’s candidate in the constituency at the next General Election, Paul Harvey to seek a new mandate now in a by-election.

“I have to say it is a bit odd having a Democratic Unionist MP for Basingstoke,” the Labour councillor said.

“Obviously Andrew has had more than a passing interest in Northern Ireland over the years and even had DUP members campaigning for him in this constituency in 2001 when he was a Conservative.

“But I would hope being an honourable man, he will seek re-election now that he has officially switched parties.

“I think Andrew should seek a new mandate in the House of Commons and stand properly as a DUP candidate. I must say I would very much relish contesting the DUP in an election.”

In 2002, Mr Hunter resigned the Conservative whip in the House of Commons to prepare a bid for a Stormont Assembly seat.

However in last year’s Assembly Election, he narrowly missed out on a seat in Jeffrey Donaldson’s Lagan valley constituency, securing 3,300 first preference votes.

Mr Hunter was one of the few Conservatives to oppose the Good Friday Agreement in the House of Commons and is a member of the Protestant Orange Order.

A DUP statement confirmed Mr Hunter officially joined the DUP Parliamentary Party yesterday and was recognised as such by the Speaker of the House.

The DUP has six MPs in Northern Ireland – the Reverend Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson and his wife Iris, Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell and Jeffrey Donaldson.