16/06/2003
SF hit out at UUC meeting
Leading Sinn Fein member, Martin McGuinness has claimed tonight's sitting of the 900-strong Ulster Unionist ruling council is an attempt by the party to renegotiate the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).
The Mid-Ulster MP claimed the meeting was not about building "partnership and inclusivity" but about "tactics to be employed by unionists to prevent change".
The meeting was called after Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson criticised the party leadership, including leader David Trimble, over proposals linked to the recent British-Irish Joint Declaration.
Mr McGuinness said: "Whatever the result of the UUC meeting tonight, unionism has to come to terms with the reality that there will be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The GFA is about people's basic rights and entitlements. About human rights and equality – these rights are non negotiable. They cannot be subject to a unionist veto.
"Unionist political leaders have to realise that the days of second class citizenship are over."
Tonight's meeting was called for by Jeffrey Donaldson after it was claimed that the future of the Royal Irish Regiment was linked to the recent Joint Declaration.
Mr Trimble says he has not endorsed the Declaration because it depended on acts of completion by republicans.
However, Mr Donaldson has rejected this claim and said that if the motion does not go his way he will resign for the party.
If he wins, many believe David Trimble will face an attempt to table a vote of no confidence.
(MB)
The Mid-Ulster MP claimed the meeting was not about building "partnership and inclusivity" but about "tactics to be employed by unionists to prevent change".
The meeting was called after Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson criticised the party leadership, including leader David Trimble, over proposals linked to the recent British-Irish Joint Declaration.
Mr McGuinness said: "Whatever the result of the UUC meeting tonight, unionism has to come to terms with the reality that there will be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The GFA is about people's basic rights and entitlements. About human rights and equality – these rights are non negotiable. They cannot be subject to a unionist veto.
"Unionist political leaders have to realise that the days of second class citizenship are over."
Tonight's meeting was called for by Jeffrey Donaldson after it was claimed that the future of the Royal Irish Regiment was linked to the recent Joint Declaration.
Mr Trimble says he has not endorsed the Declaration because it depended on acts of completion by republicans.
However, Mr Donaldson has rejected this claim and said that if the motion does not go his way he will resign for the party.
If he wins, many believe David Trimble will face an attempt to table a vote of no confidence.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 June 2003
Unionist in-fighting letting republicans off decommissioning hook
Senior Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey has warned that Ulster Unionist in-fighting is threatening to let the Republican movement off the hook. In a statement Mr McGimpsey said recent weeks had seen an enormous amount of pressure being applied to Republicans to stand down and decommission its weapons.
Unionist in-fighting letting republicans off decommissioning hook
Senior Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey has warned that Ulster Unionist in-fighting is threatening to let the Republican movement off the hook. In a statement Mr McGimpsey said recent weeks had seen an enormous amount of pressure being applied to Republicans to stand down and decommission its weapons.
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.
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".
08 July 2003
Trimble faces vote of no confidence in Tuesday meeting
David Trimble tonight faces a vote of no confidence in his position of MP for Upper Bann as unionists gather to discuss the issue in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. The meeting follows last month's move by dissident unionists within the Ulster Unionist Party who raised 30 signatures for a motion of no confidence in Mr Trimble.
Trimble faces vote of no confidence in Tuesday meeting
David Trimble tonight faces a vote of no confidence in his position of MP for Upper Bann as unionists gather to discuss the issue in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. The meeting follows last month's move by dissident unionists within the Ulster Unionist Party who raised 30 signatures for a motion of no confidence in Mr Trimble.
16 November 2001
Trimble bids to quell unrest in party
Ulster Unionist leaders are to attempt to convince the party’s hard line members not to call a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party’s ruling council.
Trimble bids to quell unrest in party
Ulster Unionist leaders are to attempt to convince the party’s hard line members not to call a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party’s ruling council.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.