UUP leader 'will not desert post'

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble says he will remain on as leader of the party, and seek re-election to the post at the party's AGM in March.

He was speaking after a meeting of party officers to discuss the resignation of anti-Agreement MP Jeffrey Donaldson.

Party president, Martin Smyth, had called on him to resign at the annual meeting. Mr Trimble replied that he has made it absolutely clear to his party that he "will not be deserting his post".

The UUP faces an uncertain future after Mr Donaldson's resignation. If the Assembly reconvenes, Ian Paisley's DUP will have 33 seats to the Ulster Unionist Party's 24.