Trimble ally to stand in Fermanagh/Sth Tyrone

David Trimble received a boost today when UUP vice chairman James Cooper formally put his name forward for the Fermanagh/South Tyrone seat being vacated by Ken Maginnis at the next British general election. Mr Cooper, who is a supporter of Mr Trimble and was formerly Mr Maginnis' election agent, said he was standing at a "critical time in the peace process", which required flexibility from Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

His decision came hours after anti-Agreement candidate Arlene Foster, a close friend of dissident MP Jeffrey Donaldson, announced that she was throwing her hat into the ring.