Donaldson loyalists in showdown with Trimble supporters

Anti-agreement UUP members in Jeffrey Donaldson’s Lagan Valley constituency are preparing to take disciplinary actions against four constituency members who support party leader David Trimble.

The local UUP constituency association has also called for the resignation of Mr Trimble, saying it had no confidence in his leadership.

The move is the latest salvo in a growing rift between Mr Donaldson, who opposes the Good Friday Agreement, and Mr Trimble, who supports it.

Last week, the Ulster Unionist executive gave Mr Donaldson three weeks to resume the party whip at Westminster or face expulsion from the UUP.

The anti-agreement hardliner and two of his colleagues resigned the UUP whip in protest at the party’s refusal to reject the recent Irish-British declaration on implementing the Good Friday Agreement.