Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble said today Britain's general election should be delayed until June because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Mr Trimble, adding his voice to a growing chorus from opposition party leaders in Britain, said in a statement he had written to British Prime Minister Tony Blair - who this weekend is mulling over the crucial date - urging postponment.
"I wrote to the Prime Minister earlier this week asking him to postpone the elections because of the foot-and-mouth crisis," said Mr Trimble.
Northern Ireland is scheduled to have municipal elections in May while Mr Blair had been widely tipped to call a May 3rd general election. However, two British newspapers, The Timesand The Sun, said he was veering towards deferring the poll until June 7th.
Political sources have been expecting Northern Ireland's elections for city and town councils to be held on the same day as a British general election.
But Mr Trimble made it clear he thought this was no time for Britain to go to the polls. "I have advised the Prime Minister that in my opinion the elections should take place in early June before the summer but not in the Autumn. I trust the Prime Minister will heed this advice."
PA