No comment to his local voters from McCrea

Contacted by the Star Mr McCrea referred only to Jonathan McCarthy’s electoral success in the new Lisburn Castlereagh District Council, against the “difficult backdrop of the days and hours leading up to Polling Day”.

It is believed Mr McCrea is taking unspecified legal action.

This follows a very public falling-out between himself and deputy leader, John McCallister.

The rift emerged after a clash over a last-minute decision to change the party’s designation from “unionist” to “other” two days before polling day last week.

Then, allegations of inappropriate sexual activity were made against Mr McCrea, which he strongly denies.

Earlier, Mr McCallister had called for Mr McCrea to step aside as leader while an investigation was carried out into the allegations.Mr McCallister claimed the party re-designation issue was an attempt to derail the investigation which he had instigated.

Speaking at the European election count on Monday at the King’s Hall in Belfast, Mr McCrea said he was taking legal action but would not be drawn further.

On polling day last week, Mr McCallister called for Mr McCrea to step aside while allegations of sexual impropriety on the part of Mr McCrea against former party worker, Ashleigh Murray, 23, are investigated.