Progressive Unionists threaten to quit assembly

The loyalist Progressive Unionist Party may quit the Northern Ireland Assembly over the crisis threatening to engulf the peace process, it emerged today.

As Ulster Unionist chief David Trimble prepared to meet Secretary of State John Reid amid deep concerns over the state of the IRA's ceasefire, PUP leader David Ervine warned he could take his party out of the devolved institutions in Belfast.

Claiming the continued allegations surrounding the republican movement had narrowed his choices, Mr Ervine said: ``One of our options to make this process honest is to withdraw from it.''

Mr Trimble held talks with Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on Monday night after his call for Dr Reid to reassess the IRA's ceasefire was thwarted at Parliament Buildings.

He wanted a fresh call in light of claims that the Provos trained Colombian rebels, raided Castlereagh Special Branch offices and have compiled a hit-list of senior Conservatives.

But rival Democratic Unionists refused to back his motion and caused it to fall, leaving unionism as bitterly divided as ever.

Mr Trimble - Northern Ireland's First Minister - will outline the deep concerns over the IRA's current status when he meets Dr Reid in London later today.

Prime Minister Tony Blair may also hold emergency talks with the parties during a visit to Belfast scheduled for later this week.