This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8048660.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hermon 'can't stand' with Tories Hermon 'can't stand' with Tories
(about 1 hour later)
The Ulster Unionist's only MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, has indicated that she will not stand under the party's new banner at the next general election.The Ulster Unionist's only MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, has indicated that she will not stand under the party's new banner at the next general election.
The UUP has linked up with the Tories to contest elections as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, but Lady Hermon said she was "disappointed".The UUP has linked up with the Tories to contest elections as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, but Lady Hermon said she was "disappointed".
"At the present time, I can't see myself standing under a Conservative banner," she said."At the present time, I can't see myself standing under a Conservative banner," she said.
Lady Hermon added that she was elected as an Ulster Unionist.Lady Hermon added that she was elected as an Ulster Unionist.
"If my party chooses to move to call themselves by a different name, I'm terribly sorry and terribly disappointed by that, but I remain an Ulster Unionist," she said."If my party chooses to move to call themselves by a different name, I'm terribly sorry and terribly disappointed by that, but I remain an Ulster Unionist," she said.
"That was certainly my mandate and I've loved serving the people of North Down."That was certainly my mandate and I've loved serving the people of North Down.
"They have stood by me through the most difficult of times and if they choose and wish me to serve them I would do my very best to do that.""They have stood by me through the most difficult of times and if they choose and wish me to serve them I would do my very best to do that."
BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon said: "We know she is not a natural Tory - if anything she leans towards Labour.
"It is not a surprise, but the fact is she has now said it three weeks before an election which is the first test of this electoral tie up.
"The party leadership, I think, she already knows will be furious that she has spoken."
Lady Hermon was speaking after she revealed her "upset and embarrassment" at being over paid almost £3,000 in parliamentary expenses.Lady Hermon was speaking after she revealed her "upset and embarrassment" at being over paid almost £3,000 in parliamentary expenses.
She said she only discovered the mistake after contacting the House of Commons fees office on Monday.She said she only discovered the mistake after contacting the House of Commons fees office on Monday.