Ulster Unionist president killed in road crash

Ulster Unionist party president Sir Josias Cunningham has been killed in a road accident.

Ulster Unionist party president Sir Josias Cunningham has been killed in a road accident.

Sir Josias, 66, a close friend of leader David Trimble, was involved in a two-car collision near Cashel Quarries on Saintfield Road, Carryduff, on the outskirts of Belfast.

Knighted for services to politics in the New Year's honours list, he had been a party officer since 1974 and president since 1991, and was one of Ulster Unionism's most respected elder statesmen.

An immensely private man, he proved a strong unifying force in a party deeply divided over the Good Friday Agreement.

His death is the second tragic blow to the party and the south Antrim constituency in less than six months. South Antrim MP Clifford Forsythe died after collapsing in his office in April.

"His loss to the party is monumental," said one senior party source. "He was the epitome of Ulster Unionism, a gentleman to the core, very polite, self-effacing, very gregarious and totally committed to the party and Northern Ireland politics.

"He steered a middle-of-the-road line, allowing debate and freedom of expression. He was very balanced and fair.

"But he also had a great sense of humour and the ability to leave politics behind when involved in other interests, such as rearing prize-winning cattle."

Born in Co Antrim in 1934, Sir Josias graduated in biological sciences from Cambridge before joining Belfast stockbrokers Cunningham Coates, which he headed until leaving last year to run the family farm at Templepatrick.

He was an Orange Order deputy grand master and deputy lieutenant for Co Antrim.

He leaves a wife and four grown-up children.