An Ulster Unionist who voted against his party in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday faces the prospect of disciplinary action when UUP representatives meet at Stormont this morning.
Mr Peter Weir (29), who represents North Down, has been a prominent UUP dissident since the signing of the Belfast Agreement. He opposed the pact in the subsequent referendum but yesterday was the first time he breached party discipline in the Assembly.
Mr Weir's breach of discipline came after a surprise guillotine motion on the December 18th pact. A debate which was expected to last three days was concluded in one. Senior sources said Mr Trimble had "read the Riot Act" to potential dissidents at a party meeting yesterday morning.
One of a number of young barristers in the party opposed to the leadership's approach, Mr Weir voted against a motion to approve a report on the UUP-SDLP deal of December 18th on new government departments and north-south bodies.
There was a strong hint from the First Minister and UUP leader that stern action would be taken. Questioned about Mr Weir's dissenting vote, Mr Trimble said: "That is not a major problem. That is a minor problem. It will shortly disappear."
However, Mr Weir is unlikely to join any of the other five unionist parties if he loses the whip in the Assembly and is expected to sit as an Independent. On Friday last he was appointed a spokesman on Culture, Arts and Leisure and now stands to lose this post.
There was outrage and bitter resentment in the ranks of anti-agreement unionists and the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley condemned the Initial Presiding Officer for his handling of the debate. A move to unseat Lord Alderdice was announced by the DUP last night.
Senior sources said the plan to curtail debate was "pre-cooked" by senior members of the UUP and SDLP. The "ambush" was known only to a tight circle. The move to end debate was initiated by Mr Derek Hussey, a UUP Ass embly member for West Tyrone at about 5.15 p.m., almost seven hours after the sitting began. A procedural motion to that effect was carried by 75 votes to 24.
An amendment from the DUP rejecting the December 18th package was defeated by 74 votes to 26. Mr Weir abstained on the DUP amendment but voted against a motion to approve the package. This was carried, with UUP and SDLP support, by 74 votes to 27.
While the defection of Mr Weir may be a blow to Mr Trimble, he had grounds for encouragement from the fact that two other well-known dissidents, Mrs Pauline Armitage and Mr Roy Beggs Jr, voted with the leadership. Senior UUP sources denied the guillotine vote was undemocratic. Assembly report and sketch: page 6