UUP pair withdraw support for Northern Assembly

Two members of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jeffery Donaldson and David Burnside, have announced that they intend to withdraw their support for the current efforts to sustain the power sharing executive and the Northern Assembly.

The announcement was made despite the continuing efforts of the leaders of the British and Irish Governments to find a solution to the current impasse.

The unexpected move has been described as a major setback to the peace process that will also undermine the leadership of the UUP leader, David Trimble.

The two MPs say that the present institutions are no longer viable and should be replaced by a new forum that would incorporate local bodies.

The pair also urged all Unionists to tell the British Government that they are no longer prepared to discuss the process with the Irish Government.