DUP's day-long meeting bids to quell dissent

Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist party held a day-long private strategy meeting today in a bid to quell signs of discontent in the ranks.

Concerns about the prospects of power-sharing with Sinn Féin in a renewed Stormont Executive next year have surfaced in the party.

In a bid to ensure everyone was on-side Mr Paisley took Assembly members, MPs, Councillors, Peers and their one MEP to an hotel at Templepatrick, Co Antrim for a brain-storming session.

The party afterwards described the meeting as constructive, held in good spirits and displaying widespread agreement.

Outstanding issues would be discussed with the Prime Minister in Downing Street next Tuesday, they said.

The DUP watched with glee when the Ulster Unionist Party was riven with splits and its leaders are determined they will not suffer the same fate.

Jumping to his father’s side, Ian Paisley Jnr said as the meeting got going: “I think the DUP should stay focused, should remember the real enemy is republicans, should beat up on republicans and not beat their chest or beat up on themselves.”

MEP Jim Allister has been critical of the St Andrews Agreement drawn by prime minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as a way of restoring power sharing by next March.

He has voiced the opinion that it needs significant changes before it can become acceptable.

Concerns have also been expressed by ministers in Ian Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church and by some local councillors.

Central to their worry has been Mr Paisley’s indication he would be ready to serve as first minister with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister once Sinn Féin agree to support policing and the structures of law and order.

There are those within the party who find it hard to countenance ever sharing power with Sinn Féin and some who feel there is a need for a period to test Sinn Féin’s commitment.

However, whatever side they are on, all insist there is no threat to the leadership of Mr Paisley.

A brief party statement said: “We have had a constructive meeting today held in a good spirit and which displayed widespread agreement. The party is committed and determined that the Government and republicans meet all their obligations.

“Dr Paisley, Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Lord Morrow will take forward the resolution of outstanding issues with the prime minister on Tuesday in Downing Street.

“They will press for an open and clear announcement and demonstration from Sinn Féin giving support for the PSNI, the Courts and meeting all other obligations”.

Ahead of the DUP soul-searching session the party had a meeting with the Bishops of the Church of Ireland during which the churchmen urged them to stick with the political process.

The Bishops, led by Archbishop Robin Eames said the political process offered both opportunities and challenges at the moment.

They said: “Encouragement was voiced for ongoing engagement in the difficult process of building a robust and fair political framework for Northern Ireland.”

Meanwhile Sinn Féin confirmed they would resume playing a full part in the Assembly at Stormont after boycotting debates for a period saying they had no meaning as there was no devolution.

Sinn Féin’s Assembly group leader, John O’Dowd, MLA, said: “We have decided to play a full and active role in plenary sessions of the transitional Assembly. We view this as a valuable opportunity to advance the work of preparing a radical and effective programme for the incoming executive.”

He added: “The DUP now need to step forward and engage fully in this process. That is the only way in which progress will be secured.

“If they fail to do so then it will become very clear that they are not at this stage willing to find agreement on power sharing, policing or any of the other outstanding matters.”