Poots attempts to heal rift with disillusioned DUP members while dismissing "UDA threats"

By Q Radio news

Edwin Poots said he has spoken to individuals following Thursday night’s meeting to ratify him as DUP leader who he said were opposed to him, including a member from Fermanagh who announced his resignation in protest at the treatment of Arlene Foster.

“I am reaching out the hand to others who maybe aren’t happy about the result of the contest, but there was a contest, it was fair, the outcome is clear, I have a task to do and I will do that task,” he said.

“I spoke to him (Paul Bell) this morning and we had a good conversation.”

Asked whether Mr Bell had changed his mind and decided to stay in the DUP, Mr Poots said:

“That is entirely up to him. Sometimes people do things in haste but I had a good conversation with him this morning and I would love for him to stay in the party.

He has made a good contribution over 20 years in the party.”

(Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP member Paul Bell who announced his intention to resign from the party last night)

(Newly elected DUP leader Edwin Poots and North Antrim MP Ian Paisley)

Meanwhile Mr. Poots responded to reports that his former rival for the party leadership, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, claims his team were intimidated by a loyalist paramilitary group.

“If that’s the case then Jeffrey should report that to police,” Mr Poots said.

“If anyone was intimidated, that should be reported to police.

“I can assure you categorically that no member of my team engaged in any activities of intimidation or bullying. We fought a fair campaign, we fought a clean campaign, it was a close contest, I accepted the outcome and I would have accepted the outcome if I had lost it.

“I would encourage all others, if there was anything that was done untoward by any individual, then that should be reported to police, and it certainly didn’t come from my team.”

Asked if he felt snubbed by Sir Jeffrey, Lord Dodds and Gregory Campbell, who were among those who left the meeting before his speech following his ratification as leader, Mr Poots responded: “It’s for Nigel and Jeffrey and others to answer for themselves, I have conducted myself correctly and appropriately and with honour throughout all of this process and I will continue to do that in my role as leader of this party.”

The Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast John Finucance says if reports that the UDA attempted to influence the DUP leadership contest, are true - the PSNI must investigate:

(Sinn Fein North Belfast MP John Finucane)