Former UUP leader insists he is focused on reselection for Assembly poll

By Rebecca Black (Press Association)

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie has insisted he is focused on getting reselected to run as a candidate for his party in the next election.

The ex Army captain has held an Assembly seat for the UUP in the Upper Bann constituency since 2016.

However, there has been speculation that some within the UUP want to see another candidate run in Upper Bann at the next election in 2027.

Local councillor Kyle Savage’s name has been mooted by some as a potential candidate.

Mr Beattie said he would not comment on the UUP selection process as it is an “internal party process”, adding “it wouldn’t be right or proper for me to comment on that, so I won’t be commenting on that”.

However, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show, Mr Beattie confirmed his name has gone forward as a potential UUP candidate to stand in the next Assembly election.

“It’s been in for quite some time, and I will go forward for selection and I will be selected or not selected,” he said.

“I’m now in the process and I can’t talk about that.”

Asked whether current UUP leader Jon Burrows supports his bid, Mr Beattie said: “Jon hasn’t stopped anyone from applying for an Assembly election, so Jon would support me putting my name forward in the same way he would support anyone else who is allowed to put their name forward.”

Mr Beattie added: “There may well be gossip, there may well be rumours, I’m focused on what I want, and what I want to do is represent the people of Upper Bann, and I will continue to do that, hopefully for the remainder of this mandate and will be selected to run for that next mandate.

“That’s what I’m focused on and that’s all I’m going to be focused on.

“If I am not selected, then I must decide where I go because there is a human element to all of this, and I’m human like everybody else, so I have to decide where I go if I am not selected.

“This is my job, this is what my family rely on, members of my staff, I’ve got staff members, and I’m worried about them as well, but that happens every single election. Every single election time is like the most visible job interview you’re ever likely to get.”

UUP MLA Doug Beattie is reported to be deselected as a candidate at next year's election PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN