DUP to challenge Reid in court today

Ian Paisley’s DUP hopes to be in court later today, challenging the Northern Secretary’s decision not to call elections earlier than the due date of May 2003.

The DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson, is accusing him of breaking an undertaking by his legal counsel in the High Court on Monday to set a date for an election.

Mr Robinson claims that Dr Reid told the court through his lawyers that he would be calling an election "within a reasonable period".

This was to fulfil his obligations under the Northern Ireland Act as first minister and deputy had not been appointed by the deadline of midnight last Saturday.

Yesterday, however, as soon as David Trimble and Mark Durcan were duly elected, Dr Reid said he would not be calling an election before it is due in 18 months time.

Mr Robinson accused the Secretary of State of "cynically abusing" his powers.

Meanwhile, after yesterday’s scuffles in the Great Hall at Stormont, the police have interviewed a number of witnesses.

Claim and counterclaim about who was responsible for the violent scenes are still being made by the pro and anti-Agreement camps.