**Former DUP leader Ian Paisley has said the UUP would be making a colossal mistake by not voting for the devolution of policing and justice. **Ian Paisley was speaking to DUP members in Ballymena on Monday as he announced his retirement as MP for North Antrim.
The DUP is expected to select his son, Ian Jnr, as its candidate.
Mr Paisley said he had no doubt his son could beat the TUV’s Jim Allister in the forthcoming election and added he would be a “poor son” if he did not.
Earlier on Monday, the UUP accused Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward of political and emotional blackmail ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said Mr Woodward had “disgracefully” linked the vote to the anniversary of the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll.
The vote takes place exactly a year after the police officer was murdered by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon.
Mr Woodward said transferring justice powers on Tuesday would send an important message to those responsible for his death and dissident republicans in general.
But Mr Kennedy said the secretary of state was guilty of “political and emotional blackmail” and called on him to consider his position.
The UUP has been refusing to endorse the Hillsborough Agreement, insisting that matters such as education, parading and “the dysfunctional nature of the current Executive” must be addressed.
It also suggests that 70% of unionists favour Northern Ireland politicians being in charge of policing issues, compared to 83% of nationalists.