UUP holds meeting to quell dissidence

The Ulster Unionist Party is to hold a special meeting this afternoon in an attempt to quell party dissidence over Mr Trimble’s decision to once again share power with Sinn Féin.

Hardliners like Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and Ms Pauline Armitage are believed to want Mr Trimble to set a new deadline for complete IRA disarmament.

Over 60 party members have signed a petition calling a meeting of the party’s ruling council to discuss future strategy regarding IRA decommissioning.

Today’s meeting was said to be an attempt to convince these UUP members that Mr Trimble is still committed to IRA decommissioning and that a ruling council meeting is not necessary.