Everything Ulster - Election 2005

HANDS up, we made a mistake. Everything Ulster would like to issue an apology over an article posted yesterday regarding UUP MLA Michael (not Ray) Copeland. I completely misread the source and thanks to a commenter on the site going by the name of Traditional Unionist, have realised my mistake.

Firstly the MLA in question is Michael Copeland, not Ray as originally posted.

He is an MLA for East Belfast, not North Down.

He is not connected with North Down Borough Council, who had their offices searched. Therefore their claim that "no councillor or member of council staff" was involved does not vindicate Mr Copeland (although in fairness we must point out no charges have been brought either at this moment in time). He is currently a councillor on Castlereagh Borough Council.

I will resume my 'wait and see' stance on this issue, and apologise again to EU readers.

beano

[More:]

The Ulster Unionists, and Mr Copeland himself, have said from the beginning that he is prepared to co-operate fully with the police investigation and both he and the party are confident that he will be not be charged with any wrong doing. At the same time, the launch of the UUP manifesto was delayed by 48 hours to allow time for the PSNI and the party to get to the bottom of the investigation and to ensure that the party's policies aren't overshadowed by this story.

Ian Paisley has dismissed as "nothing less than a hellish lie" rumours that his party has been engaged in dirty tricks.