Empey wins UUP leadership battle

Sir Reg Empey was tonight chosen by the Ulster Unionists Party to take over from David Trimble as leader.

However he was run close in a shock first round result by former Army major Alan McFarland.

After the first round of voting, the margin between the two men was 29 votes but following the elimination of former Trimble aide David McNarry, Sir Reg won by 321 to 287.