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With the DUP it always comes down to price - Empey

Reg Empey, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Antrim, has said it is "typically arrogant of the DUP to present themselves as likely power brokers in the new Parliament being elected tomorrow".

"Even after the scandals of the past year it seems Peter Robinson still doesn't 'get it'. He appears to think unionist voters are actually going to reward him and his party with even more seats.

"It is insulting to the electorate to suggest that the DUP are going to maintain their current position when the fact is that the DUP cannot count as safe any seat in which there is a three-way unionist contest.

"The Conservatives and Unionists are mounting a serious challenge to the DUP in a number of constituencies across Northern Ireland. My prediction is that the DUP and the media are in for a shock when the actual votes are counted.

"As for the dynamics of the new Parliament, we are campaigning to be part of the strong Conservative and Unionist Government that the United Kingdom desperately needs to begin the process of economic recovery and renewal.

"Having spent the whole election attacking and insulting David Cameron, it seems Peter Robinson and his colleagues are actually gagging to do their own deal with the Conservatives. Typically, again, for the DUP, it would all come down to haggling over the price.

"The people of Northern Ireland deserve better. They deserve to be at the heart of the Union, having representatives in a Conservative and Unionist government of the United Kingdom.

"The DUP are fighting this election to negotiate with the British Government. We are fighting to be part of the British Government."