UDP has talks with Mayhew

Ulster Democratic Party members met the Northern Secretary for talks at Stormont Castle in Belfast yesterday.

Ulster Democratic Party members met the Northern Secretary for talks at Stormont Castle in Belfast yesterday.

The Mitchell report, the release of paramilitary prisoners and the proposal to hold elections to a talks convention were discussed.

The UDP - the political wing of the Ulster Defence Association - does not support the proposal for immediate elections. The idea is approved by the Progressive Unionist Party, the Ulster Volunteer Force's political wing.

The UDP leader, Mr Gary McMichael, defended his party's decision not to travel to Dublin to hold political talks. The PUP accepted the invitation. He said it was inappropriate for the UDP to negotiate with the Government on "any issue relating to the internal affairs of Northern Ireland".

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Political talks last September between the two sides were different because they concerned Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, he said. "If there is a specific issue to raise with Dublin and we feel it is necessary to take things further, then we will," he said.

Mr McMichael denied there was a growing rift between his party and the PUP. "We have a shared mandate relating to the ceasefire but we are two autonomous political organisations who reach decisions separately and have sometimes a different emphasis".