Menu
12/12/2003
Donaldson UUP position in question
Jeffrey Donaldson's position within the Ulster Unionist Party is likely to be discussed at a meeting of the party's executive on Friday night.
It follows comments made by the Lagan Valley MP towards the party leadership in Kilkeel on Thursday.
Mr Donaldson, who had immediately questioned David Trimble's leadership following the poor performance of the party in the recent assembly elections, said if the party's leadership was unwilling to renegotiate the Agreement he would go to fellow thinking unionists such as the DUP and "achieve the change the unionist people voted for".
The Ulster Unionist Party found itself the smaller of the two unionist parties in Northern Ireland following last months elections.
For the first time ever Ian Paisley's DUP overtook Mr Trimble's party as the dominant force in unionism by taking 30 seats compared to the UUP's 27.
The result heaped more pressure on Mr Trimble who has come under fierce criticism within his party over his stance with republicans.
In June, Mr Donaldson and fellow Ulster Unionist MPs David Burnside and Martin Smyth were suspended from the party after resigning the party whip at Westminster.
Declaring that they did not support the Good Friday Agreement, the trio called for Mr Trimble to change party policy or step down as party leader.
In response, Mr Trimble said they should quit the party.
The party meeting tonight may well shape the fate of some senior figures within the Ulster Unionist party.
(MB)
It follows comments made by the Lagan Valley MP towards the party leadership in Kilkeel on Thursday.
Mr Donaldson, who had immediately questioned David Trimble's leadership following the poor performance of the party in the recent assembly elections, said if the party's leadership was unwilling to renegotiate the Agreement he would go to fellow thinking unionists such as the DUP and "achieve the change the unionist people voted for".
The Ulster Unionist Party found itself the smaller of the two unionist parties in Northern Ireland following last months elections.
For the first time ever Ian Paisley's DUP overtook Mr Trimble's party as the dominant force in unionism by taking 30 seats compared to the UUP's 27.
The result heaped more pressure on Mr Trimble who has come under fierce criticism within his party over his stance with republicans.
In June, Mr Donaldson and fellow Ulster Unionist MPs David Burnside and Martin Smyth were suspended from the party after resigning the party whip at Westminster.
Declaring that they did not support the Good Friday Agreement, the trio called for Mr Trimble to change party policy or step down as party leader.
In response, Mr Trimble said they should quit the party.
The party meeting tonight may well shape the fate of some senior figures within the Ulster Unionist party.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 August 2001
UUP dismiss IICD report and peace blueprint
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble’s response to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) report has been to again reiterate that the IRA must put its arms beyond use and must decommission its weapons.
UUP dismiss IICD report and peace blueprint
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble’s response to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) report has been to again reiterate that the IRA must put its arms beyond use and must decommission its weapons.
09 December 2002
Trimble fends off Tory ambition speculation
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has rebuffed suggestions that he is eyeing up the leadership of the Conservative Party and spoken of his desire to see closer links between the Tories and his party.
Trimble fends off Tory ambition speculation
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has rebuffed suggestions that he is eyeing up the leadership of the Conservative Party and spoken of his desire to see closer links between the Tories and his party.
10 October 2003
Rebel MP's set to retake whip
The Ulster Unionist Party's three rebel MP's are set to retake the party whip next week. Jeffrey Donaldson, David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth are said to have discussed the matter privately at a special meeting.
Rebel MP's set to retake whip
The Ulster Unionist Party's three rebel MP's are set to retake the party whip next week. Jeffrey Donaldson, David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth are said to have discussed the matter privately at a special meeting.
04 July 2002
Parties heckled at Hillsborough talks
The SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party all came under verbal attack from a handful of loyalist protestors today as they arrived to take part in crisis talks at Hillsborough Castle.
Parties heckled at Hillsborough talks
The SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party all came under verbal attack from a handful of loyalist protestors today as they arrived to take part in crisis talks at Hillsborough Castle.
04 November 2003
SDLP candidate concerned over UUP election strategy
An SDLP candidate for West Belfast has expressed concern that the Ulster Unionist Party’s “charter” is a "DUP-lite" election strategy. Alex Atwood said: “The issue in this election is the future of the North, not the internal politics of the Ulster Unionist Party.
SDLP candidate concerned over UUP election strategy
An SDLP candidate for West Belfast has expressed concern that the Ulster Unionist Party’s “charter” is a "DUP-lite" election strategy. Alex Atwood said: “The issue in this election is the future of the North, not the internal politics of the Ulster Unionist Party.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
