Arms must not be block UDP

The Ulster Democratic Party, the UDA's political wing, has said the decommissioning issue should not be allowed to block the …

The Ulster Democratic Party, the UDA's political wing, has said the decommissioning issue should not be allowed to block the formation of a power-sharing executive in the North.

The party leader, Mr Gary McMichael, said the aim of the UDP was the removal of all illegal guns from society, and if Sinn Fein was to enter government, it would have to do more to build trust in the unionist community.

Meanwhile, the DUP has claimed that the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, has appointed Sinn Fein representatives to Assembly executive sub-committees and working groups.

The party said it had a confidential document showing that the DUP, UK Unionists and United Unionist Assembly Party had not been informed of these appointments.