Dissidents brought before UUP disciplinary committee

Ulster Unionist Party dissident Peter Weir has been expelled from the party and fellow dissident Pauline Armitage suspended following appearances before the Ulster Unionist Council as a result of their decision not to back party leader David Trimble in his recent bid to become First Minister.

A week ago, both party members voted with the anti-Agreement Democratic Unionist Party to ensure Mr Trimble failed to gain a majority within the unionist bloc in the assembly.

Mr Trimble was only able to gain election - along with deputy first minister and SDLP leader elect Mark Durkan on Tuesday - after the centre Alliance Party agreed to redesignate three of its members as unionist in a second vote.

Speaking after the disciplinary hearing on Friday November 9 Mrs Armitage said she didn’t regret opposing her party leader in his re-election as Northern Ireland first minister. Instead, the East Londonderry assembly member accused David Trimble of single-handedly destroying the union. Speaking in a BBC interview she said: “For 33 years, this is the first time I have been before a disciplinary committee. At the end of the day whatever the disciplinary committee decides to do, I will accept it.”

Meanwhile, Peter Weir who also appeared before the UUP’s disciplinary committee at the party’s headquarters in Belfast on Friday, said he would not tolerate a “kangaroo court”.

Following their refusal to support Mr Trimble, both members were accused of conduct detrimental to the interests of Ulster Unionism by ignoring the direct advice of the party’s ruling executive and failing to back their party leader as first minister.

Mr Weir and Mrs Armitage will have the right to appeal any decision. (AMcE)