Lord Kilclooney, the former UUP deputy leader John Taylor, has publicly questioned the calibre of candidates for the party leader's job. He referred to them as "has-beens" associated with the demise of the party, and suggested that Iraq veteran Col Tim Collins would be a good choice.
However Col Collins is not a member of the party. Yesterday he issued a statement saying he was "not qualified to undertake such a momentous position".
However, he refused to rule out political involvement in the longer term.
Lord Kilclooney said the Ulster Unionists desperately needed a change of approach. He told the BBC: "Even now there is absolutely no evidence that the UUP realises what is necessary to regain the confidence and support of those who have transferred their support to the DUP or who, in their thousands, now simply refuse to vote.
"That is why I suggested an interim leadership until next April so that the UUP could prepare itself for a totally new leadership; for example Col Tim Collins, and this is only one of a number of possibilities."
Sir Reg Empey, the former economy minister in the executive, will tonight declare himself a leadership candidate. He said last night he was "saddened" by Lord Kilclooney's remarks.
Sir Reg is expected to become favourite in the race which includes former Trimble aide David McNarry, who declared on Tuesday. Mr McNarry, a constituency colleague of Lord Kilclooney in Strangford, said yesterday he believed "not many people listen to John Taylor".