THE leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has confirmed that a deal has been put to the Democratic Unionist Party proposing that the two parties work together in an attempt to prevent Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew from winning next year’s Westminster election.

Mike Nesbitt told The Impartial Reporter yesterday that UUP representatives “at very senior level” met with DUP leader Peter Robinson and other party members 10 days ago to discuss the possibility of forming a unionist pact in Fermanagh-south Tyrone.

In return for the DUP stepping aside in this constituency and allowing a UUP candidate to fight for the seat, the party would be given a free run in North Belfast to take on Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly.

It is thought that Ms. Gildernew will be selected to run for Westminster again when Sinn Fein’s Fermanagh-south Tyrone convention meets in Enniskillen on Monday night.

The decision for the DUP now is whether or not to do a deal with the UUP. In 2010, the DUP and Ulster Conservatives and Unionists (UCU) agreed on running a joint unionist candidate in the shape of Rodney Connor, a former chief executive of Fermanagh District Council. But he lost to Ms. Gildernew by four votes.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr. Nesbitt, UUP leader, said: “We approached the DUP and put two issues to them; firstly, the very real danger that they could lose North Belfast in the election and the capital city of Northern Ireland would be left without a unionist in the House of Commons. And secondly, the need to regain unionist representation in Fermanagh-south Tyrone, the most westerly constituency in the UK. We would be prepared to put the country first to keep Sinn Fein out.” Mr. Nesbitt believes the gains made by his party at this year’s council elections “proves that we are the only unionist party to make this happen” and added: “I believe the UUP would have no difficulty in taking on Sinn Fein. This is about pro-Union, anti-Sinn Fein and would mean full and proper representation in Westminster. We are waiting for the DUP to respond and believe this is a proposition that is good for the union.” If such a deal was to be given the green light by Mr. Robinson and the DUP it would be up to the UUP’s Fermanagh Unionist Association to decide on a suitable contender for the race.

“I would have every faith that the right people would put their names forward for the election and the association would choose the right person for the job,” said Mr. Nesbitt.

The DUP would not confirm if a potential deal with the UUP had been discussed when contacted by this newspaper. A spokesman for the party said: “We want to maximise the unionist vote and will work with unionist colleagues to ensure that’s the case.” He added: “The people of Fermanagh-south Tyrone came within four votes in the last general election of having an MP who actually sits in the House of Commons and votes on behalf of the constituency. We will explore the best way forward with other parties in the weeks ahead.” Meanwhile, The Impartial Reporter understands that the SDLP is keen to select one of its councillors on Fermanagh and Omagh District to contest next year’s election with Ritchie McPhillips, Brendan Gallagher, Patricia Rogers and John Coyle all in the frame.