Trimble urges Blair to take action against IRA

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has called on the British government to take action against the IRA after accusing the republican movement of continued involvement in violence.

Speaking after talks in London, Mr Trimble claimed that the IRA had breached its ceasefire through involvement in street clashes in Belfast.

Both Sinn Fein and the IRA have already denied these allegations, saying they were made for the purpose of undermining the peace process.

Today’s meeting came ahead of talks tomorrow among all the pro-agreement parties and the Irish and British governments.

Emerging from Downing Street today, Mr Trimble said he had "set the scene" for these talks.

He said Mr Blair must tackle the problem of street violence in Belfast, which has seen almost nightly clashes between rival nationalist and loyalist youths in recent weeks and months.