Threat to expel rebel McNarry
JOHN McCallister has said he will expel David McNarry from the Ulster Unionist Party if he becomes leader.
The Strangford MLA quit the UUP Assembly group but stayed as a party member after being disciplined by Tom Elliott over secret talks with the DUP.
Mr McNarry then launched a blistering public attack on Mr Elliott’s leadership and he is now facing disciplinary proceedings.
Asked what he would do about the UUP veteran, Mr McCallister said: “Given how he’s behaved, I’d expel him if I was leader.
“He’s been a liability for years and particularly over the way in which he treated Tom Elliott.”
When Mr McCallister’s leadership rival, Mike Nesbitt, was asked the same question last week he said that he could not comment because of the disciplinary process.
Last night Mr McNarry hit back, saying: “John should concentrate on his election contest.
“As a member of the party for over 40 years, I take no lectures from novices.”
And the rebel UUP man added: “His remarks are scurrilous and reveal part of the malaise working against the true traditional values of Ulster Unionism which I represent.
“I am intent on preserving my integrity — I have no case to answer on the wrongful allegations made against me which caused me deep hurt and have put me into a disciplinary hearing.
“I intend to see that scenario out.”
The senior Orangeman added: “John should remember that a future UUP leader should be a unifier, acceptable to the broad party.
“There is no way, as I understand it, that a new leader can expel me until the disciplinary proceedings are completed and if, as I expect, they find in my favour then John McCallister will once again have bitten off more than he can chew.”
