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| DUP and SDLP members jump ships | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A former member of the DUP Executive has defected to the Ulster Unionist Party. | A former member of the DUP Executive has defected to the Ulster Unionist Party. |
| Edward Hanna accused his former party of "misleading the electorate and of being arrogant". | Edward Hanna accused his former party of "misleading the electorate and of being arrogant". |
| Meanwhile, it is understood that the chair of the SDLP Bangor branch in north Down, Andrew Muir, is about to defect to the Alliance Party. | Meanwhile, it is understood that the chair of the SDLP Bangor branch in north Down, Andrew Muir, is about to defect to the Alliance Party. |
| It is thought Mr Muir is concerned the party may merge with Fianna Fail or Labour in future. | It is thought Mr Muir is concerned the party may merge with Fianna Fail or Labour in future. |
| In a statement the DUP said Mr Hanna had been "demonstrably in agreement with" party policy. | |
| "The DUP is a strong party, with a growing membership, unlike the sinking ship that Mr Hanna has decided to jump on," he said. |