The DUP has announced it will challenge the Northern Secretary in court after he named May 2003 as the earliest date for fresh Assembly elections.
Dr John Reid said he had been "mindful" of his statutory responsibility to propose an election date after the deadline for appointing a new First and Deputy First Minister expired on Saturday night.
However, now that a First and Deputy First Minister had been elected, there was "every prospect of a continuation of stable institutions", he added. "Having this afternoon consulted all the parties, I see no reason for the next Assembly elections to be any earlier than May 1st, 2003, the date which has already been set by [British] parliament in the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, said by not intending to call an election before the statutory period, Dr Reid had "not fulfilled his obligation, is acting unreasonably and would, therefore, be challenged in the courts. It is clear that he has cynically abused the powers granted to him to avoid calling an election. This legal challenge is distinct from any legal challenge which may be mounted to the validity of the election of the First and Deputy First Minister," he concluded.
The Northern Secretary congratulated Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan on their election as First and Deputy First Minister.