Sir Josias Cunningham (66), one of Ulster Unionism's most powerful behind-the-scenes figures, has died following a traffic accident on the outskirts of Belfast. The farmer and retired stockbroker was killed in a two-car collision on the Saintfield Road near Carryduff at noon yesterday.
Sir Josias earned the respect of both the Yes and No blocs in the Ulster Unionist Party while at the same time perceived as a crucial ally of party leader Mr David Trimble and a supporter - albeit a questioning one - of the Belfast Agreement.
It was Sir Josias's quiet but steely presence at Stormont with Mr Trimble's resignation letter in his pocket that prompted the Northern Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson, in the absence of IRA decommissioning, to suspend the executive and the Assembly on Friday evening, February 11th.
Equally, when the Ulster Unionist Council in May decided to go back into government with Sinn Fein on the basis of the Hillsborough compromise deal on IRA arms Sir Josias was again to the fore in ensuring that Mr Trimble's leadership position remained secure.
He was president of the Ulster Unionist Party and its 860-member ruling council, and served as a UUP party officer since 1974. A party grandee he was reputed to have been instrumental in prompting Mr James Molyneaux to resign as UUP leader in 1995, opening the door for Mr Trimble to succeed him.
Sir Josias helped steady Mr Trimble's leadership position in the past five difficult and fractious years for Ulster Unionism. The North's First Minister trusted him and sought his advice. During the recent power struggles between the pro- and anti-agreement camps in the UUP Sir Josias helped ensure that these divisions did not irreparably split the party.
Sir Josias was anxious to resign his post as party president in the past year but because of his unifying influence was persuaded to remain as party president in order to avoid further "bloodletting".
The Ulster Unionist Council is not due to hold its annual general meeting until next March although a special council meeting could be speedily called to elect a successor to Sir Josias. This has the potential to again open up still festering wounds should Yes and No Ulster Unionists challenge for the position.
Party sources said it was much too early to decide with whom or how Sir Josias might be replaced. One source suggested that one or possibly two of the current four party vice-presidents might by agreement of the 13 UUP officers take over the post until the formal elections next March.
At present three of the vice-presidents are pro-agreement - Mr Ken Maginnis, Sir Reg Empey and Mr Jim Nicholson - while the fourth, the Lagan Valley MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson is anti-agreement. Another possible candidate for the position is the UUP chairman Lord Rogan.
Sir Josias is survived by his wife and four children.
