Foster resigns from UUP

The crisis in the Ulster Unionist Party deepened last night with the resignation of Arlene Foster as its honorary secretary.

The party has begun disciplinary action against half its parliamentary party after three MPs defied the party leader, David Trimble.

Although Mr Trimble won a vote by five votes to two yesterday in favour of taking disciplinary action against the three anti-Agreement dissident MPs, he's far from out of the woods yet.

The disciplinary committee's chairman is prominent Trimble supporter Raymond Ferguson, a pro-Agreement lawyer from Fermanagh.

One of the rebel MPs, Jeffrey Donaldson, has already objected to his chairmanship and this could yet end up in the courts.

Arlene Fosters' resignation as honorary secretary is another sign of trouble ahead. She accused Mr Trimble of vindictiveness and of ignoring the views of grass roots unionists.

It was also noticeable yesterday that some officer board members who should have been there to support the UUP leader, such as Sir Reg Empey and MEP Jim Nicholson, didn't turn up.