Responding to claims from Diane Dodds during the launch of her Euro manifesto, Jim Nicholson said:

"Mrs. Dodds made a number of statements during her launch, most of which don't stand up to close scrutiny.

What a privilege it is to be part of a strong, united and co-ordinated team that can provide genuine influence to deliver in Europe.

"The DUP has no representatives in the European Parliament. And even if Mrs. Dodds is elected she will be one voice from a small regional party.

"I will be a key member of the UK's largest national bloc and it's that bloc which will be capable of providing 'genuine influence' in Europe.

But more than that is at stake. The election outcome will determine whether Republicans will overtake us and become Ulster's number one MEP in Europe. It will also determine whether we continue to chart a successful course for Northern Ireland controlling our own destiny or whether Unionism becomes weaker and marginalised.

"This is pure scare mongering from the DUP. It's what they always do at election time. Unionism will become weaker and marginalized; the only thing the DUP can offer us is the same-old, same-old and a stalemated government with Sinn Fein.

"I believe that unionists will see through this message. In these difficult economic times people want Europe to work for them. I am not convinced that Diane Dodds has a realistic European agenda. With the next Government of the United Kingdom behind me and being part of a strong and influential group of Conservative MEPs, I will be able to deliver real change, change that Diane Dodds and the DUP can only dream of.

For the first time in forty years there are stable political structures in place with the prospect of peace and prosperity. This is good for the people of Northern Ireland and good for unionism.

"But had it been left to the DUP there would be no structures at all! The DUP opposed the very Agreement that created these structures. The DUP pledged themselves to the destruction of the structures. After 40 years of saying no, the DUP have at the last minute piggy-backed onto Northern Ireland's political and economic success stories.

Everyone knows only the DUP has the strength of character and the rugged determination to see off the electoral challenge posed by Sinn Fein.

"What arrogance, and how utterly dismissive of the voters for the 'Conservatives and Unionists' and the TUV.

"The DUP has never smashed Sinn Fein, let alone seen them off. The DUP has created a 'Themselves Alone' pact with Sinn Fein: a pact based on mutual veto and Sinn Fein having joint control over every aspect of Executive policy----a veto and control gifted to them by the DUP at St. Andrews.

"I think increasing numbers of people within the pro-Union community have seen through the stunts and rhetoric at the heart of the DUP's approach to politics. They are offering nothing new to the electorate.

"I want to top the poll, too; but I want to top it for the Union, for Northern Ireland and for the United Kingdom.