Trimble denies Conservative bid claims

David Trimble has denied claims that he has been involved in

behind-the-scenes moves to become a member of the Conservative Party.

The Upper Bann MP, who was returned unopposed as the UUP leader at a meeting of the party's ruling council in Belfast yesterday, was said by reports to

be considering a new role in the shadow cabinet.

They quoted sources close to Mr Trimble as saying that, if he were to lose a

future UUP leadership challenge, he would forge closer links with the Tories

and may even play an Opposition role.

One newspaper quoted Trimble confidantes as saying he did not like being the North's First Minister and would relish being "a big player" with a new role at Westminster with the Conservatives.

Another carried a story claiming Conservative peer, Viscount Cranborne, had brokered a deal which would see Mr Trimble lining up as the Tories' Northern Ireland spokesman on the Opposition benches.

It claimed Viscount Cranborne had discussed the idea with all the contenders

for the Conservative leadership and had had no major objections.

However, Mr Trimble dismissed the reports through his official spokesman. The spokesman said the Ulster Unionist leader had not had "any discussion with Viscount Cranborne or any senior members of the Conservative Party.

He said: "We flatly reject these claims that the UUP is on the verge of linking up with the Conservative Party."

Mr Trimble is due to stand down as the province's First Minister next week unless the IRA moves significantly to decommission its arsenal.