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06/01/2004
War of words erupt between Trimble and Donaldson
A war of words erupted today between Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
It follows Mr Donaldson's high profile defection from the Ulster Unionist Party to the Democratic Unionist Party on Monday.
On Tuesday, Mr Trimble called for a by-election in the Lagan Valley constituency saying Mr Donaldson had been elected on a UUP ticket. He said: "It is most unfortunate that people were not more honest with the electorate and with us.
"A lot of people in Lagan Valley think there should be a by-election. I think it is a matter for Mr Donaldson's honour and it is for him to decide."
However, Mr Donaldson hit back claiming Mr Trimble had orchestrated the move to have him expelled from the party, therefore a call for a by-election was farcical.
"Is he suggesting that if I had been expelled there should have been a by-election?" he said.
"There have been many defections in the past from the DUP to the UUP and I am not aware of any instances where those public representatives, people like (East Antrim MP) Roy Beggs and Ivan Davis ever having called a by-election."
Mr Donaldson's decision to join Dr Paisley's party follows months of heated debate with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble over the position of the UUP.
In June 2003, Mr Donaldson, alongside colleagues David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth, resigned the party whip claiming Mr Trimble failed to endorse his policy on the joint British-Irish declaration.
They claimed Unionism, led by Mr Trimble, had been "represented at the negotiating table in a weak and dysfunctional state".
Then following elections in November, Mr Donaldson questioned Mr Trimble's leadership after the DUP became the dominant unionist party in the province.
Today's move brings the DUP's strength at Stormont to 33, nine more than the UUP.
Mr Donaldson's defection to the DUP also makes it the largest Northern Ireland party at Westminster.
(MB)
It follows Mr Donaldson's high profile defection from the Ulster Unionist Party to the Democratic Unionist Party on Monday.
On Tuesday, Mr Trimble called for a by-election in the Lagan Valley constituency saying Mr Donaldson had been elected on a UUP ticket. He said: "It is most unfortunate that people were not more honest with the electorate and with us.
"A lot of people in Lagan Valley think there should be a by-election. I think it is a matter for Mr Donaldson's honour and it is for him to decide."
However, Mr Donaldson hit back claiming Mr Trimble had orchestrated the move to have him expelled from the party, therefore a call for a by-election was farcical.
"Is he suggesting that if I had been expelled there should have been a by-election?" he said.
"There have been many defections in the past from the DUP to the UUP and I am not aware of any instances where those public representatives, people like (East Antrim MP) Roy Beggs and Ivan Davis ever having called a by-election."
Mr Donaldson's decision to join Dr Paisley's party follows months of heated debate with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble over the position of the UUP.
In June 2003, Mr Donaldson, alongside colleagues David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth, resigned the party whip claiming Mr Trimble failed to endorse his policy on the joint British-Irish declaration.
They claimed Unionism, led by Mr Trimble, had been "represented at the negotiating table in a weak and dysfunctional state".
Then following elections in November, Mr Donaldson questioned Mr Trimble's leadership after the DUP became the dominant unionist party in the province.
Today's move brings the DUP's strength at Stormont to 33, nine more than the UUP.
Mr Donaldson's defection to the DUP also makes it the largest Northern Ireland party at Westminster.
(MB)
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21 September 2004
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
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Mixed responses to Donaldson's departure
The decision by rebel Ulster Unionist MP Jeffery Donaldson to leave the party has been welcomed by some supporters of UUP leader David Trimble. The hardline anti-Good Friday Agreement MP announced his decision to leave the party along with two other Assembly members, Norah Beare and Arlene Foster who were also elected on an Ulster Unionist ticket.
Mixed responses to Donaldson's departure
The decision by rebel Ulster Unionist MP Jeffery Donaldson to leave the party has been welcomed by some supporters of UUP leader David Trimble. The hardline anti-Good Friday Agreement MP announced his decision to leave the party along with two other Assembly members, Norah Beare and Arlene Foster who were also elected on an Ulster Unionist ticket.
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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.
07 July 2003
Rebel MPs suspension ruled 'invalid' by High Court
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Rebel MPs suspension ruled 'invalid' by High Court
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26 June 2003
Three UUP rebels face disciplinary action
Three rebel Ulster Unionist members are to face the party's disciplinary committee following their resignation of the parliamentary whip at Westminster earlier in the week.
Three UUP rebels face disciplinary action
Three rebel Ulster Unionist members are to face the party's disciplinary committee following their resignation of the parliamentary whip at Westminster earlier in the week.
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