DUP member Jim Wells is ruling out running as an independent in Stormont’s May general assembly election.
The outgoing Southern Downtown League confirmed its plans ahead of the nomination deadline, Friday.
Mr Wells has previously said he is willing to keep his options open after being disqualified as the DUP’s candidate from his constituency.
He supported Edwin Potts’ bid to compete with South Down for the DUP, but did not yet support Diane Forsyth after being elected by party officials.
Potts later moved from the Lagan Valley to South Belfast to run for the DUP after replacing Christopher Stanford of the party’s MLA after his untimely death.
Mr Wells told Belfast Live: “I’m not running in elections and I’m not a candidate, so I have a completely blank blog.
“I can’t stand him in any way. I retired with my family over the weekend and his pictures appeared on the internet.”
Mr Wells, a former health minister who has represented the Southdown Society since 1998, said he is bending “against my will”.
But, he added, “To tell the truth, I’m not lacking in doors, insults, and falling posters.”
Mr Wells said he would be racing in the Upper Pan area because he lives within the county boundaries.
He expressed his support for the current chairman of the Democratic Federalist Party, Jonathan Buckley.
“Jonathan and I were very friendly. I think Jonathan really shined like he did with MLA Upper Bann,” he said.
When asked about Buckley’s nominee, former Economy Minister Diane Dodds, Wells initially replied: “Jonathan Buckley is an excellent candidate.”
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Commenting on her thoughts on Ms Dodd, she added: “Diane Dodd is also the DUP’s candidate for Upper Ban and I think she deserves the lead.”
Wells added: “I will not vote (for the Unionist leader in Ulster) for the candidate Doug Petty or the Alliance.”
The former MLA has remained loyal to those he supports in the South Down competition and said he plans to reveal his intentions next week.
Source: Belfastlive
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