UUP rebels' suspension unlawful, says court

The Ulster Unionist Party unlawfully suspended three dissident MPs from the party for rebelling against the leadership, the High Court in Belfast ruled today.

A High Court judge ruled today that an Ulster Unionist disciplinary committee was not properly constituted to deal with complaints against three MPs, Jeffrey Donaldson, the Rev Martin Smyth and David Burnside.

A decision to suspend Mr Donaldson and Mr Smyth, who are party officers, and Mr Burnside was unlawful.

The three MPs had resigned the party whip at Westminster in protest at the Ulster Unionist Council's backing for the party leadership's position on the British and Irish governments' joint declaration on the future of the Good Friday Agreement.

The High Court ruled today that the participation of one member of the committee, Barry Fitzsimons, could be questioned because he was involved in a motion of no confidence against Mr Donaldson in his Lagan Valley constituency.

But the High Court ruled that the participation of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble in a meeting considering what action should be taken against the three MPs was proper.

Emerging victoriously from the court, Mr Donaldson declared: “Justice has been done.”