Nominations open for new UUP leader

Doug Beattie, who led the UUP for just over three years, is stepping down

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has set out the process to select a new party leader.

Nominations have opened and an extraordinary meeting will be held on 14 September to ratify or elect the new leader.

Doug Beattie resigned as leader on Monday citing irreconcilable differences with party officers.

It is understood party officers met and agreed a timetable earlier and nominations will close next Friday at 16:30 BST.

'Absolutely furious'

Among those who could replace Doug Beattie is former leader and current Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

Deputy Leader Robbie Butler and East Antrim MLA John Stewart have also been mentioned by some party sources as possible contenders.

The UUP has not had a contest for the leadership since 2012, when Mr Nesbitt beat John McCallister for it.

Since then, subsequent leaders have been selected by the party unopposed.

One senior UUP source told BBC News NI that some party members and elected representatives were “absolutely furious at the party officers for the way they have handled this entire situation”.

“They have acted recklessly without any consideration of what comes next.”

The UUP has 10 party officers, some of whom are elected by the party while others were appointed by Mr Beattie when he became leader.

It is believed only two of them had supported Mr Beattie, prior to his decision to step down as leader.