Joint statement by Rodney McCune and Sammy Morrison:
 
“We regret that supporters or workers for our DUP opponent have seemingly engaged in widespread poster vandalism in the Carrickfergus area. A number of TUV posters have been cut so that the eyes were removed. On another occasion a TUV poster in the centre of Carrickfergus was cut with a knife and had a Sammy Wilson poster erected directly on top of it. It is hard to believe the DUP hierarchy were not aware of this as the pole was directly outside their office. Their posters were replaced on Thursday night. 
 
“On Friday morning we became aware that many of the Unionist and Conservative posters and TUV posters in Carrickfergus had been defaced with a white sheet of paper with abusive typed text pasted to them. Others were cut and taken down. On the same night many more Sammy Wilson posters were erected in the same area.

”We regret that the DUP seem to have descended into the gutter and appears to have engaged in criminal vandalism. It is testament to their nervousness in East Antrim that they appear to have resorted to such tactics. It also says a great deal about the DUP talk of Unionist unity.

“This simply cannot go on. We have therefore contacted the PSNI and asked them to investigate this vandalism. It is time for Sammy Wilson to investigate this matter himself and issue a public apology for the apparent criminal behaviour of his supports and that he pass on any information he has about this to the police.

“Vandalism in Carrickfergus is an issue of great concern to locals. Indeed, both of us have had this matter raised with us when we were going round the doors. For political parties to be engaged in such behaviour sets an extremely bad example and will doubtless encourage the anti-social element in the town.”