DUP reports 'widespread agreement'

The Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party held a day-long private strategy meeting yesterday in an attempt to quell signs…

The Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party held a day-long private strategy meeting yesterday in an attempt to quell signs of discontent in the ranks.

Concerns about the prospects of power-sharing with Sinn Féin in a renewed Stormont Executive next year have surfaced in the party.

In an effort to ensure everyone was on-side Mr Paisley took Assembly members, MPs, Councillors, Peers and their one MEP to an hotel at Templepatrick, Co Antrim for a brain-storming session.

The party afterwards described the meeting as constructive, held in good spirits and displaying widespread agreement.

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Outstanding issues would be discussed with the British prime minister in Downing Street next Tuesday, they said.

As the meeting got under way today, Ian Paisley Jnr said: "I think the DUP should stay focused, should remember the real enemy is republicans, should beat up on republicans and not beat their chest or beat up on themselves."

MEP Jim Allister has been critical of the St Andrews Agreement drawn by by Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern as a way of restoring power sharing by next March.

He has voiced the opinion that it needs significant changes before it can become acceptable.

There are those within the party who find it hard to countenance ever sharing power with Sinn Fein and some who feel there is a need for a period to test Sinn Fein's commitment.

However, whatever side they are on, all insist there is no threat to the leadership of Mr Paisley. A brief party statement said: "We have had a constructive meeting today held in a good spirit and which displayed widespread agreement. The party is committed and determined that the government and republicans meet all their obligations.

"Dr Paisley, Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Lord Morrow will take forward the resolution of outstanding issues with the prime minister on Tuesday in Downing Street.

"They will press for an open and clear announcement and demonstration from Sinn Fein giving support for the PSNI, the Courts and meeting all other obligations".