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18/06/2002
Lord’s reserve judgement on DUP bid to overturn election
The House of Lords has reserved judgement in a legal challenge to the election of Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers last year.
The Democratic Unionist Party’s Peter Robinson is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan, claiming the vote took place outside a designated six-week period.
The DUP joint action also challenges the decision of Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid not to call fresh assembly elections before May 2003, despite the lateness of the first minister’s election.
If the five law lords - Lords Bingham, Hoffmann, Hutton, Hobhouse and Millett agree the election was held illegally; the decision could have huge implications for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The DUP’s case centres on a decision taken by the Dr John Reid to allow Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan’s election to proceed after the assembly failed to elect a first and Deputy First Minister by the deadline on midnight on Saturday November 3rd.
In Tuesday’s closing stages of the hearing before the Law Lords, the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, said the matter was of great constitutional importance and urged them to give a ruling before Parliament rises for the summer.
(AMcE)
The Democratic Unionist Party’s Peter Robinson is challenging the election of Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan, claiming the vote took place outside a designated six-week period.
The DUP joint action also challenges the decision of Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid not to call fresh assembly elections before May 2003, despite the lateness of the first minister’s election.
If the five law lords - Lords Bingham, Hoffmann, Hutton, Hobhouse and Millett agree the election was held illegally; the decision could have huge implications for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The DUP’s case centres on a decision taken by the Dr John Reid to allow Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan’s election to proceed after the assembly failed to elect a first and Deputy First Minister by the deadline on midnight on Saturday November 3rd.
In Tuesday’s closing stages of the hearing before the Law Lords, the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, said the matter was of great constitutional importance and urged them to give a ruling before Parliament rises for the summer.
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
