The Orange Order has voted to end its century-old formal association with the Ulster Unionists.
The loyal order made the decision at a meeting in Belfast at the weekend, following a prolonged deterioration in relations between it and the party.
The order, which has had a bloc presence on the party's ruling Ulster Unionist Council, said the decision was prompted by a series of constitutional changes enacted over the past 12 months by the UUP which enhances the leadership's grip on the party.
The decision follows just one week after the party celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Ulster Unionist Council which took place in Belfast on March 4th, 1905.
An opinion poll, published last week, put the UUP at just 16 per cent, about half the level of support it enjoyed at the 1997 Westminster election.
Recognising that the factors supporting the link between the Orange Order and the UUP had changed substantially over recent years, Grand Master Robert Saulters said the arrangements made in 1905 were no longer appropriate. "The loyal Orange Institution will continue to lobby for the unionist cause as events require," he said.
"We will seek to establish good relationships with all those engaged in the political interests of the unionist people." According to party sources, the Orange Order representatives on the Ulster Unionist Council have grown increasingly at odds with the leadership, especially following the Belfast Agreement and the decision to share power with Sinn Féin in an executive before arms decommissioning and IRA disbandment. Orange Order votes at a series of crunch Ulster Unionist Council meetings over the policy and direction of the Trimble leadership had not gone in the leader's favour.
Senior UUP member and Orangeman Jim Rodgers said the decision was a major blow to the UUP just a week after it celebrated its centenary.