 David McNarry is standing for the UUP leadership |
The Strangford assembly member David McNarry has said he will seek the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party. The Ulster Unionist Council meets on 24 June to elect a successor to David Trimble.
Mr Trimble resigned his leadership after the party lost all but one of its Westminster seats.
It is understood the former Stormont Minister Sir Reg Empey will confirm he is going to stand on Thursday.
He can call on the support of senior party figures like Fred Cobain and former Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers.
Mr McNarry says he wants change and to "take the party out of denial".
A senior member of the Orange Order he was heavily identified with the Drumcree protest.
A former adviser to Mr Trimble, he narrowly lost the Strangford seat to the DUP's Iris Robinson in the 2001 General Election, though he did not contest it this year.
He says he will not be holding a presidential style campaign but concentrate instead on the grass roots.
 Sir Reg is expected to enter the Ulster Unionist leadership race |
It is thought that a third candidate will be the North Down MLA Alan McFarland.
The former MP Lord Kilclooney confirmed on Tuesday morning that he was still interested in being an interim leader until the party's annual meeting next March.
Another former MP, Lord Maginnis, said he was still in contention, though he would consider standing aside for a younger candidate who would share his aim of restructuring the party.
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