The East Antrim DUP candidate told the News Letter that “the DUP are the only ones who can deliver unionist voices at Westminster. I think he [Nigel Farage] recognised that and that’s why he was prepared to go back. A change in leader, as he says, is a change in stance”.
Mr Wilson accused Reform deputy leader Mr Habib of taking a “destructive attitude” and not having a “thought-out strategy”. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. He said: “Nigel thinks more strategically on these things and knows if you want to keep strong unionist representation then the DUP are the people you need.
” But Mr Habib hit back at Mr Wilson, accusing the DUP candidates of “taking advantage” of Mr Farage. Mr Habib told the News Letter: “Sammy and Ian are good friends of Nigel’s. Knowing he had a lot on his plate, they solicited an endorsement from him.
“Being disposed to them he didn’t think twice and gave it. It was naughty of Sammy and Ian to take advantage of Nigel like that.” Advertisement Advertisement The DUP have repeatedly criticised the stance taken by Reform UK candidates such as Mr Habib and Ann Widdecombe when they voted for the Withdrawal Agreement – which included the NI Protocol – in the European Parliament.
“I’m not too sure what Nigel’s stance on the protocol was in the European Parliament. I don’t know if he voted fo.