Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he will be personally endorsing two DUP candidates in the general election – despite his party’s alliance with the rival Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
He told the Press Association he would be throwing his weight behind Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley – a move that has been welcomed by the DUP.
Mr Paisley is the DUP candidate in North Antrim, where he will be challenged by TUV leader Jim Allister.
Mr Wilson is running in the East Antrim constituency, where the TUV candidate is Matthew Warwick.
TUV leader Jim Allister said his party entered an electoral arrangement with Reform UK “in good faith” and called Mr Farage’s move “disappointing”.
Mr Allister said he found out about this endorsement from the media.
The TUV announced an electoral alliance with Reform UK in March when Richard Tice was the party leader.
Mr Farage replaced him last week.
The TUV applied to run its candidates under a joint banner of “TUV/Reform UK” on ballot papers, but that was rejected by the Electoral Office so it is running under “TUV no sea border”.
Mr Allister said he was “surprised” when he found out about Mr Farage’s endorsement “when the media reported it”.
Mr Allister said: “The endorsement that TUV seeks in this election is that of ordinary voters.
“The comments by Mr Farage today are, of course, disappointing and not compatible with the content of a conversation I had with him last week.”
Mr Allister said he understands that this is Mr Farage’s “personal” opinion and not the party’s decision.
“It doesn’t seem to be party endorsement and he only seems to be endorsing two of the DUP candidates, not the leader or anyone else, so it is a bit muddled,” he added.
Mr Allister also said members of Reform UK have told him that the pact between their party and the TUV “still stands”.
“Until someone says that Mr Farage is speaking otherwise than personally what else can I do than continue to act in good faith.”
Pressed on the matter, Mr Farage said: “Well, new leadership brings change.
“I wish the TUV well, but I’m gonna stand up to support Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley as people I fought with all through the Brexit years.”
The DUP’s North Antrim candidate Ian Paisley said Mr Farage’s endorsement is not surprising.
“I’ve known Nigel for many years, and indeed in 2019 Nigel endorsed me. He also endorsed Sammy in 2019.”
Mr Paisley also said he is “surprised Jim thought that he had something that he didn’t have”.
“I think it actually clears up some of the confusion around how Jim maybe oversold what he had,” he added.
A photograph of Mr Farage alongside Mr Paisley delivering his endorsement also appears on the DUP candidate’s election leaflet.
In response the two DUP candidates called on the TUV to drop the Reform UK branding.
They said: “Nigel Farage is a household name and we welcome his endorsement as the best pro-union candidate in our constituencies. Nigel knows us and knows our record of delivering for the people.
“This is very embarrassing for Jim Allister as the Reform UK leader has endorsed us rather than him because the Reform UK leader recognised that on the big issues we could be relied upon.”
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