DUP may refuse to take its two ministries

The DUP may refuse to take its two ministerial departments and go into opposition if the Executive is reinstated in two weeks as proposed, according to sources in the party.

Senior figures within the DUP argue that it would be to the party's strategic and future electoral advantage to operate as the main opposition in the Assembly and as a beacon of resistance to the Belfast Agreement.

Such a move could present the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP with an additional ministry each. This, including the position of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, would leave five SDLP, five UUP and two Sinn Fein ministers in the 12-member cabinet.

The 90-member DUP executive is to meet on Friday May 19th when it is expected to debate and vote on a motion proposing it remain outside the executive. An intensive period of debate begins today within the party as members argue the merits and demerits of such a move.

The DUP always has been reluctant to eschew political power. Its strategy of Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Nigel Dodds taking their two departments but not sitting in cabinet with Sinn Fein in the Executive was an example of the lengths to which it will go to ensure it has its hands on the reins of power.

However, some senior members believe it may be to the DUP's advantage to act as the main opposition in the Assembly.

Deputy leader Mr Robinson at the weekend signalled he could be persuaded to adopt such a position.

It would draw a clearer distinction between the UUP and the DUP and would "up the ante in terms of opposition to the Belfast Agreement", he said.

Mr Robinson said yesterday anti-agreement unionists would exert considerable pressure to ensure that the Ulster Unionist Council, the UUP's ruling body which is expected to meet on Saturday week, would reject the new formula designed to break the political impasse.

While the DUP would be central to this campaign, his instinct was that Mr Trimble would carry the day, if he decides to recommend the deal.

"I would expect the vote would fairly closely resemble the leadership vote (when Mr Trimble defeated the Rev Martin Smyth with 57 per cent of the vote)," added Mr Robinson.