Unionist co-operation - Sir Reg Empey

Statement from Sir Reg Empey, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

"In recent weeks members of the DUP have criticised the Ulster Unionist Party for what it has described as unionist squabbling.

In a number of 'tit for tat' comments, their MLA's have claimed that UUP actions are serving to undermine the possibility of co-operation between the two Unionist parties.

In response to this I would like to set out the facts for News-Letter readers to study and draw their own conclusions.

Unionism was united from 1905 (with the formation of the Ulster Unionist Council) until Ian Paisley formed the DUP in 1971. People must reach their own judgment as to whether this was a good or a bad development for unionism and Northern Ireland.

People must also judge whether, with the formation of Northern Ireland in 1921, the period from 1921 -1970 was better for unionism than the period from 1970-2008.

Bringing things up to date, in September of last year I received a letter from Nigel Dodds, the then DUP Secretary, asking if the UUP would consider talks regarding unionist co-operation etc. Although this letter appeared on the DUP website before it appeared on my desk, I responded positively following discussions with Party Officers and the UUP Executive. I never received a response to that letter.

Again in May of this year, the DUP went public with a further invitation during a press conference issuing a further call for talks between the two parties. Even though I did not approve of the approach being made via the media, I nevertheless responded that I was prepared to discuss unionist issues with the DUP. Again I did not receive a response.

When Peter Robinson was appointed Leader of the DUP and First Minister, I met him to discuss Executive business. At the end of this meeting he asked me if I would be prepared to meet on a party basis - again I responded positively.

There the matter rests."