Blair urged not to disband RIR

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has called on British Prime Minister Tony Blair to state that the Royal Irish Regiment of the British Army will not be disbanded.

The call, in a letter to Mr Blair, followed a meeting between Mr Trimble and the Northern Secretary yesterday.

Press reports have suggested that the RIR would face severe cutbacks as part of the British government’s promise to reduce the number of soldiers in the North from 14,000 to 5,000.

Mr Trimble said such a move would demoralise the unionist community.

He added that it was particularly insensitive to allow rumours to spread when the regiment had played a forward role in the US-led war against Iraq.