Rivals’ plan spells trouble for Trimble

ULSTER Unionist leader David Trimble was last night facing a fresh crisis as his Democratic Unionist rivals planned a recruitment drive aimed at starting an exodus from his party.

With Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and two Assembly colleagues joining the Reverend Ian Paisley’s party after a five-year battle with Mr Trimble, it emerged the defection of 11 more Ulster Unionist councillors could help the DUP become the largest party in local government in Northern Ireland.

As his party colleagues celebrated the defections of Mr Donaldson, Arlene Foster and Norah Beare, Mr Paisley said he believed more Ulster Unionists would follow.