Trimble backs blueprint decision

THE British and Irish governments were right to withhold their blueprint for the Northern Ireland peace process as republicans refused to face up to their responsibilities, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said yesterday.

The Upper Bann MP said the peace process could not be held to ransom by Sinn Féin and the IRA.

“Our position with regard to republicans was clear from the outset,” the former Northern Ireland first minister said.