David Trimble has sanctioned secret Ulster Unionist efforts to broker peace talks between Northern Ireland's warring loyalist paramilitary groupings, it was claimed tonight.
Details of dialogue between the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force emerged as rebel UUP Assembly members met General John de Chastelain to discuss IRA disarmament before agreeing to back the UUP leader's bid to be re-elected Northern Ireland First Minister.
According to Ulster Unionist sources, Mr Trimble gave his approval for senior party members to set up a Loyalist Commission involving the rival groupings.
"This is about trying to get the two loyalist groups to come together," said one Ulster Unionist source.
"Trimble is involved in this, he has sanctioned it and has some influence on it."
It is understood the UDA and UVF leaderships have become involved in the discussions aimed at ending tensions within loyalism which have erupted into bloody internecine fighting between the two groupings.
But it is hoped efforts could later switch to achieving a start to loyalist decommissioning in response to the IRA's historic weapons move, the source said.
A spokesman for Mr Trimble would only say tonight: "I know there are efforts going on to try and improve relations between the two loyalist sides."
PA