Election countdown on Trimble's future

Local Government election counts which could decide if David Trimble faces a bid to oust him as Ulster Unionist Party chief were getting under way today.

Hardline UUP sources angered by the heavy losses suffered in the Westminster contests have indicated a fierce challenge to Mr Trimble’s leadership is likely at the party’s AGM later this month if the 26 council polls prove equally punishing.

‘‘If we take further reversals on local government it becomes very difficult for Trimble to put a gloss on it,’’ one said.

Mr Trimble has vowed to fight to remain Ulster Unionist leader despite seeing his party’s MPs cut from nine to six.

But as the UUP leader battles to retain control of his party, Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair have already arranged urgent talks on the potential crisis in the peace process.

The pair will meet later this week during a summit of European leaders in Gothenberg.

The Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party, which bitterly opposes the Good Friday Agreement, saw its quota rise from three to five in the election and is now calling for a complete overhaul of the peace deal from a position of greater strength.

The party’s newly-elected North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds insisted a majority of unionists now opposed the accord.

‘‘No matter how they describe it, the reality is there’s going to have to be a fundamental look at the basis on which this process operates,’’ he said.

Mr Dodds also claimed Mr Trimble, the First Minister in the Province’s devolved Government, was now living on borrowed time.

‘‘Trimble has basically run out of credibility and he is now running out of votes. The writing is on the wall,’’ he added.

But the UUP leader has pledged to fight off any threat to his stewardship which emerges from the anti-Agreement wing at the party’s AGM on June 23.

He said: ‘‘As always my position is up for re-election, I will be offering myself again for that position and if anyone else from within the party wishes to challenge me so be it.

‘‘That is the democratic wish and mandate of the party.’’

Striking a defiant note, however, he added: ‘‘I’m not scared of a challenge. I have been absolutely open with the party through this process.’’