'I won't be standing' Beattie on UUP leadership race
Portadown politician gives support to Steve Aiken
Doug Beattie has ruled himself out of the UUP leadership race.
He said he had been humbled by the support but confirmed he will not stand.
Mr Beattie from Portadown said he believed Steve Aiken was the right successor to Robin Swann who is stepping down.
He said: " I believe we are in a time of real political and social change and Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom, must change to meet the challenges of the future.
"The Ulster Unionist Party must remain vigilant in the face of BREXIT as well as a possible General Election and I believe a leadership contest would be a distraction in this compressed political environment.
"Therefore I do not intend to stand for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party but to endorse Steve Aiken OBE MLA for the party leadership.
"I have been humbled by the support I have received over the last number of weeks asking me to stand for the leadership. However for me it is time to focus on our country and how unionism should be promoting inclusive politics. That means less about the flag, more about our shared future and the promotion, not just the defence, of the union."