Statement by North Down TUV candidate Kaye Kilpatrick:

“On Saturday I had the privilege of watching the Royal Irish Regiment excising their right as Freemen of the Borough of North Down to parade through Bangor. I was delighted that local people turned out in force to show their support for the Regiment who are preparing for a six month tour of duty in Helmand Province.

“The 1st Battalion had served in Afghanistan last year and are now returning to help the Afghan National Army take responsibility for the peace and security of their own country.

“I am sure that our brave soldiers drew immense encouragement from the rapturous response which they received from local people.

“A priority in the next Parliament will be to secure success in both Afghanistan and Iraq and to that end our gallant troops must have the resources and supplies they need. TUV will speak and vote in parliament to ensure this is so.

“From the experience of Northern Ireland we will resist ‘political solutions’ which betray the sacrifices of our troops. We’ve seen enough reward locally for terrorists to be determined opponents of buy-offs and sops to the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents”.