UUP could implode, warns Donaldson

THE Ulster Unionist Party could implode if its leader David Trimble continues to engage in a “vendetta” against his critics, rebel MP Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.

He also claimed that the Good Friday Agreement had collapsed, and that it now had the support of just 30% of unionists.

The Orange Order, meanwhile, said the agreement was unworkable so long as the IRA refused to disband.

In an angry speech to Orange Order members taking part in July 12 celebrations at Hillsborough, Co Down, on Saturday, Mr Donaldson warned that the UUP was facing an “irreconcilable split” over Mr Trimble’s continued commitment to the agreement.

“In so doing, he has split his party down the middle and has now embarked on a vendetta against those who oppose his high-risk policy,” the Lagan Valley MP said.

On Friday, UUP officers decided by six votes to three to initiate fresh disciplinary proceedings against Mr Donaldson; UUP president, the Reverend Martin Smyth, and David Burnside after a previous bid to suspend the MPs was overturned in Belfast’s High Court.

Repeating his warning yesterday, Mr Donaldson said: “my message is very clear: that unless David Trimble draws back from the brink, there is a serious risk that his party is going to implode.

"That’s the only consequence of expelling three of his members of parliament from the party.

“What I am saying to my colleagues who support the agreement is (that) we need to sit down, recognise that 70% of the unionist electorate would not vote for the agreement today if there were a referendum, and address the issues that have given rise to that loss of confidence within unionism.”

But senior UUP member Sir Reg Empey warned it would be a mistake to try to replace Mr Trimble as

leader. “Of course there are personality issues, but playing musical chairs with a leader isn’t a solution of itself. There are a whole cocktail of issues which have to be addressed and policy remains a major one of those.”

Meanwhile, the Orange Order claimed that the agreement was unworkable in its present form.

The claim came as more than 60,000 members took part in 18 marches across the North on Saturday to mark King William III’s victory in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

“We believe the agreement, being unable to remove the threat of violence by some who are signatories to it, cannot give us the fair and just government we need and want,” a statement read.

“Until there is proof that the IRA is gone and its terrorist activities have ceased, there should be no place for Sinn Féin in the government of Northern Ireland.”

The marches passed off peacefully for the most part.

Stones and bottles were thrown at Orangemen at the most contentious parade, which passed the nationalist Ardoyne area of north Belfast.

But a major police and army presence was on hand to keep rival sides apart.