Upper Bann DUP MP David Simpson said:
"The comments by David Trimble concerning Unionist Unity and co-operation will be music to the ears of Michelle Gildernew and Alasdair McDonnell. He described co-operation between the Unionist parties in a very negative way, using words like sectarian.
Perhaps David Trimble thinks there is something sectarian about Unionists working together to unseat anti-Unionist MPs, but I do not, nor does the overwhelming majority of pro-Union voters who have said they want to see Unionist Unity. People can see that co-operation can deliver 2 seats at the forthcoming election. For the first time in a generation Unionism can gain seats off those who want to dislodge Ulster from the United Kingdom. I utterly refute Trimble's wrecking agenda.
Trimble's comments raise questions about Reg Empey's leadership. Is he prepared to accept a Tory who turned his back on the UUP after being voted out of office dictating the UUP's approach to Unionist Unity? Just who is leading the UUP, Reg Empey or David Trimble?"