Unionist meetings condemned as 'stunt'

A series of meetings between Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and grassroots members of the party were dismissed as “a publicity stunt” by some of his critics today.

As party officers considered a bid by hardliners to convene their 900-member ruling council next month to discuss disciplinary action against three rebel MPs, Mr Trimble embarked on a round of meetings across the province to discuss the current political situation.