Rebel MPs showdown

TENSIONS within David Trimble’s Ulster Unionist Party were mounting tonight as rival sides began a last-minute bid for votes ahead of a ruling council showdown.

With around 900 members of the Ulster Unionist Council due to gather in Belfast tomorrow to decide whether the party should discipline three rebel MPs, insiders claimed the vote was 'hard to call'.

"It's really going to be tight and the main focus of interest is going to centre on what position [former Stormont economy minister] Reg Empey adopts," a UUP source said.