No challenge to David Trimble's leadership of the UUP is expected to materialise at tomorrow's a.g.m. of the party's ruling council.
But internal wrangles for party officer positions are expected, with anti-agreement UUP sources yesterday stating they believed secret meetings were being held by the pro-Trimble camp.
The 860-strong council, which meets at the Ulster Hall, will elect a new president following the death of Sir Josias Cunningham last August. The Rev Martin Smyth MP, who is firmly anti-agreement, and Lord Rogan, an ally of Mr Trimble and outgoing party chairman, are considered the likely contenders.
There was speculation Mr Smyth would challenge Mr Trimble if there was no move by anti-agreement MP Mr Jeffery Donaldson to strike for the leadership. However, it appears the anti-agreement camp has delayed to allow Mr Trimble follow through with his threat to resign on July 1st. Four positions of honorary secretary and four vice-president positions will also be decided tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the outgoing party vice-chairman and failed UUP Westminster candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Mr James Cooper, announced yesterday he will take legal action to try to overturn the election result.
Mr Cooper was defeated by Ms Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Fein by 53 votes, although the electoral office has confirmed a polling station in the nationalist village of Garrison stayed opened past the 10 p.m. closing time.