Trimble denounces Royal Irish downgrade

The Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, has furiously denounced plans to downgrade the Royal Irish Regiment.

Mr Trimble has accused London of reneging on a promise to him that the RIR would be maintained.

The UUP leader adds he will do nothing to promote the two governments' Joint Declaration on the Agreement until London assures him the regiment will be saved.

Trimble has accused the British Ministry of Defence of proposing the scrapping of the RIR.

Speaking in Belfast this afternoon, Mr Trimble said he was assured by the British government that this would not happen.