Dissident unionist considering future

Dissident unionist Pauline Armitage was today considering her future after being suspended for voting against David Trimble’s re-election as Northern Ireland First Minister.

Fellow Ulster Unionist assembly rebel Peter Weir was expelled from the party for also defying instructions to back Trimble.

The pair had resisted efforts to back his return to the top post in the Stormont power-sharing executive after expressing scepticism at the IRA’s recent disarmament move.

Mr Weir and Mrs Armitage had joined anti-Good Friday Agreement unionists to ensure Mr Trimble failed in his original bid to be returned as First Minister last Friday.

Mr Trimble was only returned to the top post in the power-sharing executive after centre ground parties realigned as Unionists.

Mrs Armitage, the East Derry MLA, said she needed time to digest the news following yesterday’s suspension.

‘‘There’s a promise that I can apply to rejoin the party ... but I suppose I’m really no longer a member of the Ulster Unionist Party,’’ she said.

‘‘I’m going to go home and think about it. I don’t know if I would put on my mail Pauline Armitage, Ulster Unionist MLA.’’

After learning of his fate, Mr Weir said: ‘‘It’s a sad day when the Ulster Unionist Party can effectively accommodate support from the Alliance and Women’s Coalition but cannot support the views of traditional Unionists.’’