Published Monday, 01 October 2012
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Unionism divided
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Analysis
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The South Down MLA was stood down from the post following a speech he made to young Unionists on Saturday.
It is understood Mr Nesbitt viewed sections of the speech in which Mr McCallister accused the party of "sleepwalking into unionist unity" as an attack on his leadership.
In the address marking the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant, Mr McCallister said recent shared commemorations, events and statements gave the impression that the "unionist unity train had left the station".
On Monday Mr McCallister, who previously ran for the party's top spot, said he accepted Mr Nesbitt had the right to remove him from the deputy leader post at Stormont.
"I made comments in a speech to a Young Unionist dinner to mark the Centenary of the Ulster Covenant and I stated that I did not believe unity to be helpful to unionism or to Northern Ireland as a whole."
I am disappointed at the Leader's decision as I believe that in the majority of my remarks I was quoting from the Leader's speech at the Party Conference and I remain very supportive of his call to end sectarianism and tribal politics.
John McCallister
It is understood Mr McCallister has stepped down from his post as the party's health spokesman.
Last week Mike Nesbitt issued a joint statement with DUP leader Peter Robinson ahead of a Parades Commission ruling on the Ulster Covenant parade.
During a joint unionist event on Friday marking the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Covenant, Mr Nesbitt said although both sides had joined together for the evening, it did not symbolise a combined future.
"When a united front is required in the best interests of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will not be found wanting; but I also want the electorate to have a choice.
"In his speech Peter Robinson also conceded a single party is not an option. Let the matter rest at that," commented Mr Nesbitt.
In a statement, the party's Assembly group said they supported the views expressed by Mr Nesbitt at the Covenant dinner.
"The Leader has indicated that following comments made at the weekend he had received many complaints about the use of the phrase 'sleepwalking into unionist unity'.
"The Ulster Unionist Assembly Group is confident that the views expressed by the Party Leader have the overwhelming support of the entire Party."
Meanwhile, party colleague Basil McCrea described Mr McCallister as "an excellent politician".
"I will make it quite clear that I supported John in his leadership bid and I think he's an excellent politician," he told UTV.
"He made a speech a few days ago actually, which set out what he considered to be the right way forward for the party and I'm sure that people, having read it, will understand that the content is something that we can all agree with."