Court ruling expected on suspension of UUP MPs

A High Court ruling may be given on Friday in the case of the three Ulster Unionist MPs who are challenging their suspension from the party.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the Rev Martin Smyth and David Burnside are seeking an injunction to overturn the decision of a party disciplinary committee to suspend them.

The three Westminster MPs had their membership of the Ulster Unionist Party suspended last Friday after they resigned the party whip at Westminster in protest at the policies of UUP leader David Trimble.

On Thursday a writ was issued at the High Court against all the officers of the party, including Sir Reg Empey, Lord Maginnis, Dermot Nesbitt and Jim Rodgers, but not party leader David Trimble who is not a party officer.

Solicitor John McBirney, acting for the three MPs, said their application had three main planks:

• Suspension of the men went beyond the powers of the party's disciplinary committee;
• Composition of the disciplinary committee was invalid and illegitimate;
• The MPs say there was no substance to the charges against them.

The three MPs want the court to rule on whether their suspension before a disciplinary hearing took place on 17 July was illegal.

The court action is seeking an injunction restraining the officers from interfering with the MPs in the exercise of their rights and duties as party members, and from allowing a disciplinary hearing togo ahead.

The hearing was adjourned until Friday afternoon, by which time the party is expected to have lodged a replying affidavit.

(MB)