A senior Ulster Unionist has dismissed a DUP claim that the UUP is in danger of imploding as the clamour for autumn Assembly elections continues from the DUP, Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
Former UUP minister Mr Dermot Nesbitt rejected DUP deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson's claim that the only reason the British government was failing to call elections was to assist Ulster Unionists, but that the UUP may be "beyond saving".
Mr Nesbitt said the UUP was not afraid of Assembly elections, but that elections in the current political climate could not lead to a new Northern Executive.He would make no comment on efforts by former UUP minister Sir Reg Empey and former Belfast lord mayor Mr Jim Rodgers to find middle ground between UUP leader Mr David Trimble and anti-Belfast Agreement MPs Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, Mr David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth, who face possible expulsion from the party after resigning the Westminster whip.
The UUP's officer board was due to meet this week to decide on further disciplinary proceedings but so far no meeting has been arranged.