Hardline UUP members go against Trimble

Hardliners within the Ulster Unionist Party are preparing to block David Trimble's re-election as First Minister following IRA decommissioning.

The hardliners have got the required 60 signatures needed to force an emergency meeting of the 850 strong Ulster Unionist Council which would give grass-roots members a say.

The 120-strong Executive says there is no need for the Council meeting and that this is a direct challenge to the authority of the Executive.

The vote for the positions of First and Deputy Minister is expected to take place on Friday.

Mr Trimble is struggling to get the 30 majority he needs to be returned as re-elected and he needs cross-party support.

Dissident unionists, Peter Weir and Pauline Armitage have said they want more reassurances about IRA decommissioning.

It has been reported, however, that the two are due to meet with the decommissioning body later this evening and could change their minds and vote for Trimble if they get the reassurances they want.

Both risk being thrown out of the party if they go against the leader.

If they do not change their minds David Trimble will need the support from at least one independent unionist.

The UUP has targeted Frazer Agnew, but he has said he would vote with anti-Good Friday democratic unionists.

The Women's Coalition said their two members may re-designate themselves as unionists in order to return the UUP leader as First Minister and save the Assembly.