Blair backs Trimble to return as First Minister

Tony Blair has expressed sorrow at David Trimble's resignation as Northern Ireland First Minister, but hopes he will regain the post.

Mr Trimble's resignation took effect at midnight, the deadline for a significant move on IRA decommissioning.

The resignation starts a six-week countdown to an Assembly vote for a First Minister, requiring the support of 50% of unionist MLAs plus one and 50% of nationalists plus one.

Mr Blair said: "I am sorry that David Trimble has resigned although I fully understand the reasons why he has felt it necessary to do so.

"David Trimble has been a good First Minister for the people of Northern Ireland and I hope that he will be able to resume that role shortly.

"Like David, I too want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects and that will be our aim in the talks over the coming days."

Nationalist Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, who will have to seek re-election to his post in the Assembly as a result of the resignation, said Mr Trimble had made "a significant contribution to the achievements of the institutions to date".

Mr Mallon said: "Since their inception, the institutions have been denied stability because of the failure to make progress on decommissioning, the refusal of Democratic Unionist ministers to attend and abide by decisions of the Executive and the Ulster Unionists' refusal to properly implement the North South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council. That instability has been worsened by David Trimble's resignation."

David Trimble is in France today to attend a Battle of the Somme Commemoration. One of his leading party allies, Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey, has been appointed to take over some of the First Minister's functions. This would enable the Executive to meet for key decisions over the next six weeks.