A close advisor to Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, has lost the contest to represent the party in the forthcoming South Antrim by-election. David Campbell was defeated at a nomination convention last night by David Burnside, a sponsor of a controversial motion on police reform opposed by the party leadership earlier this year.
South Antrim, held for years by the late Clifford Forsythe, is one of the safest Ulster Unionist seats and was hotly contested. The party leadership had backed David Campbell, prompting an embarrassing last minute row when another contender, Assemblyman Duncan Shipley Dalton withdrew complaining Mr Campbell had been imposed only to recant, back him and attack his main opponent in colourful terms. All this redounded to David Burnside's advantage and he comfortably defeated Mr Trimble's preferred candidate.
Mr Burnside is a prominent public relations consultant based in London and was formerly head of public relations for British Airways before leaving after allegations of dirty tricks by Richard Branson's Virgin Airlines. He is a formidable operator: even though he supported the Good Friday Agreement and his party leadership he has fallen out with David Trimble and backed a controversial Council motion calling for the retention of the RUC name. While he won't stand foursquare behind his party leader, he is likely to support efforts to modernise Unionism.
