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UUP elects former television presenter Mike Nesbitt as its new leader

Mike Nesbitt defeated John McCallister in the leadership contest
Mike Nesbitt defeated John McCallister in the leadership contest

Former television presenter Mike Nesbitt has been elected as the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Mr Nesbitt, 54, who is a married father of four, was elected by a ballot of party members in Belfast.

He defeated rival John McCallister by 536 votes to 129 following a fiercely-fought leadership battle which revolved around whether to take the UUP into opposition at Stormont.

Mr Nesbitt pledged to instil a new spirit among people in Northern Ireland.

"I want everyone in this country to get out of bed with a sense of purpose. I want this party to wake up with a sense of purpose," he said.

"I want us to reach out to become the party of choice for every pro-union voter in Northern Ireland, including those who still say they want a United Ireland, but privately accept there is no longer a single reason not to enjoy their continued membership of the United Kingdom."

Around 850 people attended today's party AGM in Belfast and around 660 voted.