Beattie remaining as UUP leader after party backs him

Embattled Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has received the "unanimous" support of his party's officers and its Members of the Legislative Authority to continue as leader.Mr Beattie told the PA news agency: "I have had detailed conversations with all of my MLAs, I apologised for what I had done directly to each one of them and then I spoke whether or not I still had their support to remain as party leader - overwhelmingly every one of them said 'yes, I did'.

"Doug Beattie the party leader promised to engage with the MLA group and indeed the party officers and he did that today. Earlier, Mr Beattie said he would offer his resignation if the party felt it was necessary. This followed accusations of misogyny and racism over the content of tweets posted before he entered political life.

It referenced a brothel, and Mr Poots later said both he and his wife had been insulted and upset by the content.It is understood Edwin Poots has begun libel proceedings over the content of one of Mr Beattie's tweets.

Most of those officers probably happy the path to a more open party has now had the door firmly slammed shut.

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