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09/03/2010
Bush Calls For UUP Policing Support
George W Bush has waded in on the political unrest at Stormont, urging support for the devolution of policing and justice powers.
The former US president called on Conservative leader David Cameron (pictured) to use his influence within the Ulster Unionist Party to cajole them into backing today's Assembly vote on the Hillsborough Castle Agreement.
Ulster Unionist MLAs have said they will not endorse the accord.
The party entered into an electoral pact with the UK Tories two years ago. They will field joint candidates at the forthcoming General Election.
Mr Cameron, the leader of the Commons Opposition, told Mr Bush he was in no position to instruct the UUP what to do.
The Conservative Party has firmly supported the agreement, which was struck last month following months of inter-party wrangling.
Heated negotiations to secure a deal had threatened to collapse the Belfast institutions.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton contacted UUP leader Sir Reg Empey on Friday to emphasize the importance of a unanimous 'yes' vote today.
Despite the UUP's resistance, the DUP and Sinn Fein are confident they can garnish enough Assembly support to successfully push forward with the transfer of judiciary responsibilities to a locally elected minister by 12 April.
Democratic Unionists have continued to insist they would prefer to have the UUP on board.
Ulster Unionists have said they will not submit to "bullying" or "blackmail".
Deputy party leader Danny Kennedy yesterday accused the Northern Ireland Office of releasing a "dubious" opinion poll ahead of today's vote.
A survey published by the Secretary of State suggested 68% of people in the province want to see a new Justice Ministry installed at Stormont.
Shaun Woodward said it would be "hard to forgive" anyone who voted against the will of the public.
Last night, Sir Reg said his party's hand would not be forced.
"Our history is our strength. And we are prepared to go forward and look to the future. But not under the cosh of all this blackmail and bullying," he said.
Former first minister Ian Paisley accused the UUP of making a "colossal mistake".
(PR/GK)
The former US president called on Conservative leader David Cameron (pictured) to use his influence within the Ulster Unionist Party to cajole them into backing today's Assembly vote on the Hillsborough Castle Agreement.
Ulster Unionist MLAs have said they will not endorse the accord.
The party entered into an electoral pact with the UK Tories two years ago. They will field joint candidates at the forthcoming General Election.
Mr Cameron, the leader of the Commons Opposition, told Mr Bush he was in no position to instruct the UUP what to do.
The Conservative Party has firmly supported the agreement, which was struck last month following months of inter-party wrangling.
Heated negotiations to secure a deal had threatened to collapse the Belfast institutions.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton contacted UUP leader Sir Reg Empey on Friday to emphasize the importance of a unanimous 'yes' vote today.
Despite the UUP's resistance, the DUP and Sinn Fein are confident they can garnish enough Assembly support to successfully push forward with the transfer of judiciary responsibilities to a locally elected minister by 12 April.
Democratic Unionists have continued to insist they would prefer to have the UUP on board.
Ulster Unionists have said they will not submit to "bullying" or "blackmail".
Deputy party leader Danny Kennedy yesterday accused the Northern Ireland Office of releasing a "dubious" opinion poll ahead of today's vote.
A survey published by the Secretary of State suggested 68% of people in the province want to see a new Justice Ministry installed at Stormont.
Shaun Woodward said it would be "hard to forgive" anyone who voted against the will of the public.
Last night, Sir Reg said his party's hand would not be forced.
"Our history is our strength. And we are prepared to go forward and look to the future. But not under the cosh of all this blackmail and bullying," he said.
Former first minister Ian Paisley accused the UUP of making a "colossal mistake".
(PR/GK)
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18 October 2001
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
28 November 2003
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
25 March 2010
UUP 'To Back' SDLP Justice Bid
Ulster Unionist MLAs are reportedly poised to back the SDLP's nominee for Justice Minister at Stormont. Senior UUP members are believed to have voiced their support for Alban Maginness to SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie.
UUP 'To Back' SDLP Justice Bid
Ulster Unionist MLAs are reportedly poised to back the SDLP's nominee for Justice Minister at Stormont. Senior UUP members are believed to have voiced their support for Alban Maginness to SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie.
09 May 2005
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
04 November 2003
Trimble labels DUP as 'silent' negotiators
As the Ulster Unionist Party's candidates gathered in Belfast to lodge their nomination papers for the Assembly elections in November, the UUP party leader fired a broadside at their main electoral competitors, the Democratic Unionist Party. UUP leader David Trimble said the DUP were engaged in silent "semaphore signals" with Sinn Féin.
Trimble labels DUP as 'silent' negotiators
As the Ulster Unionist Party's candidates gathered in Belfast to lodge their nomination papers for the Assembly elections in November, the UUP party leader fired a broadside at their main electoral competitors, the Democratic Unionist Party. UUP leader David Trimble said the DUP were engaged in silent "semaphore signals" with Sinn Féin.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
