Donaldson joins UUP talks team

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has appointed rival Jeffrey Donaldson to his talks team, sources in the party confirmed tonight.

In a move which was being interpreted as an attempt to stave off a leadership challenge from anti-Good Friday Agreement elements in the party, members of UUP executive were told at a meeting in Belfast today that Mr Donaldson would take part in the negotiating team next week at Downing Street.