Former RUC man to stand for Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin has selected a former member of the RUC as a Westminster candidate.

Billy Leonard, who defected to the party from the SDLP, will stand in East Londonderry

His party colleague Francie Bolly claimed the one-time Protestant lay preacher would make a perfect candidate. "He works tirelessly in advancing the peace process, on the street at grassroots level where it really matters."

The former police reservist became the first Sinn Féin member of Coleraine Borough Council last year.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionists have chosen their candidate to challenge for Ian Paisley's Westminster seat. .

Rodney McCune, 28, from Ballymena, will be the UUP's youngest candidate when he stands in North Antrim.

Mr McCune said: "I know that I will have a very difficult fight on my hands but I am sure that my opponents will feel the same way."