UUP's Robbie Butler said he remains committed to party after losing out on Children's Commissioner post

THE Ulster Unionist deputy leader Robbie Butler has said he remains committed to his party despite applying for the job of Northern Ireland Children's Commissioner.

Mr Butler was told he had not been successful in the competition last Thursday for the job which would have lasted for at least eight years.

Speaking to the BBC Good Morning Ulster, he said he was "flattered" to reach the final stages of the interview process.

Having fostered many children with his wife over the last 17 years, in recent years Mr Butler adopted three children under the age of seven.

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He also worked closely with the previous Children's Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma during her eight-year term.

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Asked if his application meant he would rather not be deputy leader, he said: "That's just not the case.

"I've been the children and young people spokesperson in my party for a number of years and have worked closely with that office.

"If you are interested in upholding the rights of young people and giving voice and advocacy then that is the pinnacle, it's a very special job but that job will now be allocated to the right person and I will congratulate them this week when they take up their post."

He did not confirm directly if he would have vacated his post as deputy leader and an MLA if he had been appointed.

It follows a disappointing result for the UUP in the local elections, with the party losing 21 council seats to leave 54 councillors across Northern Ireland.

Reflecting on the diminishing returns for his party, he accepted there had been an apathy from many unionist voters.

"It's not on the people, it's on politicians like myself who have to pony up here and say 'what's the bit that's missing?''"

He added that it was too simplistic to blame an attempt by the UUP to appeal to both liberal and conservative unionists.

"It's very important that unionism is positive, it's courageous and it is open to all and we literally are building a union of people," he said.

"We need to keep on that message and we will continue to do that."