Co-option likely for Ervine seat

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6261295.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The DUP will not seek a by-election for David Ervine's Belfast City Council seat even though it would win the contest, the party has said.

Robin Newton, leader of the DUP group on the council, said he "did not foresee" the party pushing for a by-election to fill the seat.

Mr Ervine died last week after suffering a heart attack.

If the other parties agree with the DUP, the PUP will be able to co-opt another member onto the council.

Mr Newton said that following Mr Ervine's untimely death, it was important for the people of the east Belfast Pottinger Area to have full political representation.

'Inconvenience'

"As the largest unionist party, and on past election figures and results, the DUP would be the likely winners of the seat," he said.

"However, I don't see the need to force the election costs and inconvenience on the already hard-pressed ratepayers.

"Given that David had held the seat for a number of council terms, the best solution would be a co-option from within the ranks of the Progressive Unionist Party."

Mr Newton said he hoped the other political parties on Belfast City Council "would also see it this way".

Mr Ervine, who was 53 and married with two sons, was also his party's only assembly member.

He became the leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smyth.