Trimble seeks to have rebels removed

DAVID TRIMBLE launched moves last night to have his Ulster Unionist Party president, the Rev Martin Smyth, removed from the post after he joined two other hardline MPs in resigning the party whip in parliament.

He is also seeking to have Jeffrey Donaldson removed from his position as one of the party vice-presidents.

Mr Trimble’s announcement came after consultation with lawyers following the resignation of the whip by Mr Smyth, Mr Donaldson and David Burnside in opposition to his peace process policy. They made their move earlier yesterday after their failure a week ago to get the ruling Ulster Unionist Council to back their demand for a total rejection of the British-Irish Government Joint Declaration on the way forward for restoring devolution at Stormont.