Ex-DUP woman selected by Tories

The Tories and UUP are in an electoral alliance

The Conservatives have selected a former DUP politician as their candidate for the East Belfast Westminster seat.

Deirdre Nelson was a DUP Councillor in Ballymena before defecting to the Conservatives.

Councillor Nelson was elected four years ago.

Before her defection she put her name forward for the DUP's European candidacy, but lost out to Diane Dodds.

She said she joined the Conservatives because she backed the party's efforts to steer Northern Ireland away from sectarian politics.

The Conservatives in Northern Ireland have formed an electoral alliance with the Ulster Unionists.

Both parties are selecting candidates but which joint candidate runs in which seat is yet to be agreed.

The Ulster Unionist's candidate in East Belfast at the last Westminster election was party leader Sir Reg Empey.

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