Ulster Unionist Westminster hopeful, Diana Armstrong, has rejected claims that "Unionism is fractured" locally amid reported ructions between parties on proposals for a Unity candidate. 

Councillor Armstrong is the sole Unionist candidate in the constituency after the DUP and TUV stepped aside despite approaching high-ranking Orangeman, Norman Donaldson to stand as a non-party Unity Candidate. 

When asked about this in an interview yesterday (Wednesday), Mrs. Armstrong said: "My selection was made at the end of January and that was presented as the candidate for the Ulster Unionist party.  I had no part in any other talks that were going on. 

"I welcome the fact that the leaders of both the DUP and TUV have indicated their support for my campaign."

Recently, sources indicated that the DUP is now refusing to canvas for Mrs. Armstrong after a Unity candidate could not be agreed. 

When asked if she was "hurt" by these claims, she responded: "Look, I have good relations with the DUP, I don't have a problem communicating and talking to fellow Unionists across the board. 

"I welcome the support their leader has given, they are working hard for this constituency too. I do acknowledge that, and I thank them for that."

She also rejected claims that Unionism is "fractured" locally. 

"No, absolutely not," she said. "That isn't what I am hearing on the doorsteps. I respect that people have different understandings of points of view, but I am here as a willing and able candidate.

"I am a confident Unionist."
 
On July 4, Mrs. Armstrong will be on the ballot card with a number of candidates, including Sinn Fein's Pat Cullen. 

The UUP hopeful said she disagreed with Mrs. Cullen's comments in last week's Impartial Reporter that "suffering during the Troubles was the same for both sides".

"She (Mrs. Cullen) has said in her statements that she treated all victims the same.

"All victims, in my opinion, are not the same. There are people who went out there in their minds to create victims. There are those who are innocent victims. The two do not equate.

"I would like clarity from Pat Cullen, in her role as a nurse, as to why she can treat both the same. I don't see it that way. There is a lot of hurt."

Mrs. Armstrong was also asked about her involvement in controversial protests regarding the now-closed Brindley House in Killadeas over 20 years ago. A gang of convicted criminals allegedly prostituted teenagers from the children's home in Fermanagh more than 20 years ago, bringing them to houses across the county where it is claimed they were drugged and repeatedly raped.

"Get out or be put out scum" was scrawled across the ground outside the home as residents protested against the opening of the facility. The same words were burned onto the lawn with weed killer. Protestors were later accused during a meeting of the then Fermanagh District Council of shouting ‘Fenian scum’ at children at the home.

The protest was organised by Killadeas Residents' Association and lasted more than a year.

One of the most outspoken critics was the then secretary of the association Mrs. Armstrong.

Asked if she regretted getting involved in the protests, she said: "This happened a long time ago, and many community groups formed because of an issue in the area. My role was purely administrative to support a community that was conducting a campaign because there was a facility being opened.
 
"The community had been told that it was for adults with physical mobility needs. The community had not been told that it was a location for children with inappropriate sexualised behaviour.
 
"There was a lot of hurt in the community and a feeling that it wasn't an appropriate setting. The fact that residents were not kept on board created distrust."

Mrs. Armstrong was then asked if she supported press freedom after Fermanagh and Omagh District Council complained to the press regulator following reports by this newspaper about free meals for councillors.

"I have no problem with the press asking difficult questions," she said. "I have no problem with being photographed going into a place of work in association with my Council business.

"Councillors realise that transparency is needed in public life, and I have no difficulty in being transparent in my dealings in the Council."

She added that she feels the issue, in which councillors voted for more free meals in secret, has been "overblown".

"In the overall scheme of a budget of £43 million, a £3 teatime dish is not a lot. It's a lot for some people, but in a budget that runs an organisation where you are requiring public servants to be alert ... I think it is a matter that has been overblown."