The BBC is reporting that Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey is set to stand as the joint Conservative and Unionist candidate in South Antrim.
Having received the unanimous backing of the local UUP last night, I would anticipate that an endorsement from the Joint Committee comprising senior members of both the UUP and Northern Ireland Conservatives will be a formality.
South Antrim is currently held by the DUP's WIlliam McCrea with a majority of 3,448.
Sir Reg, who replaced David Trimble as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and is a minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, will be the last Conservative candidate to have been selected for this general election.
Jonathan Isaby
