The press officer of the Young Unionists, the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr Peter Weir, has denied what he described as "rumours" that his organisation was supporting Prof Mary McAleese for the Presidency.
He said in a statement that the Young Unionists had been informed rumours were being spread in Dublin that it was supporting Prof McAleese.
"The selection of Irish President is a matter for the people of the Republic of Ireland, and the outcome is of little interest to us. We would, however, state that we find the strident and hardline nationalist views of Mary McAleese particularly repugnant," Mr Weir said.