Trimble offers olive branch to party critics

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble today offered an olive branch to his party critics, urging them to think again about their revolt against his policies.

As the UUP prepared for a potentially explosive meeting this Saturday of its 900-member ruling council, the former Stormont First Minister welcomed proposals from the British and Irish governments to set up a four member Commission to monitor the Good Friday Agreement and paramilitary ceasefires.