Paisley hits out at 'powerless' Trimble

DUP Leader, Ian Paisley has lambasted David Trimble for his “rewriting of recent history” after the UUP leader claimed that it was his party's pressure that forced the Independent Monitoring Commission’s (IMC) decision to produce its first report by Easter.

Yesterday, the Ulster Unionist Party leader said plans for the early publication of the International Monitoring Commission's (IMC) report on paramilitary activity was a "vindication" of his party's decision to withdraw from the recent Good Friday Agreement review.

However, today Dr Paisley said the Upper Bann MP would "do anything, including rewriting recent history, to try to justify his shambolic departure from the talks process".

"Mr Trimble is desperately seeking a way to make himself appear relevant in a process that carries on without him," the North Antrim MP said.

"It was the DUP, not the UUP, who met with the IMC immediately after the Tohill affair. It was the DUP, and not the UUP, who made a direct appeal to the commissioners to produce an earlier report. It was the DUP, and not the UUP, who pressed the Government in meetings inside the talks for a speedy IMC report."

Dr Paisley described Mr Trimble as "a desperate man" who had been exposed as "powerless".

"The unionist electorate removed him from the leadership of unionism last November and he is finding it hard to readjust to his new role on the sidelines. The process is now focusing on the issue of paramilitarism not because of the weak pleas of a man who kow-towed to the paramilitaries.

"Talks are concentrating on terrorist activity as a result of the case presented by the DUP. Unlike Mr Trimble, the DUP has demanded the continuation of a process that can lead to a better way forward without having to concede to the demands of Sinn Fein/IRA," he concluded.

It is understood that the IMC will publish its report shortly before Easter and will include information on the recent allegations over the abduction of dissident republican, Bobby Tohill.

It had been thought the IMC's report would be produced in May, however the organisation confirmed it is now expected at Easter.

The commission was due to report on the IRA and loyalist ceasefires every six months.

(MB)