DUP angry over axing of Royal Irish Regiment

The DUP has accused the Ulster Unionists for failing to prevent the British government planning to axe three of the Royal Irish Regiment's four battalions.

The British Army is preparing to make a statement on the future of the Regiment with letters sent out to all its members.

The British Army's proposals include a reduction in the regiment's numbers, including the phased standing down of its three battalions based in the North.

The speed of the close down will be contingent on the security situation, but it does seem inevitable.

The RIR is split into the Home Service in support of the police and the 650-strong General Service which was recently active in Iraq.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson blamed the UUP for the move saying it was a further implementation of what was agreed by them with the British government.

David Trimble, he said, either knew this at the time or was incompetent in failing to recognise its inevitability.