UUP leader requests Chief Constable to attribute attacks

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has asked the RUC Chief Constable to make known those groups responsible for recent terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland.

Mr Trimble said that police had been reluctant to identify particular paramilitary factions behind the spate of attacks carried out in recent weeks.

He said that at one point the Chief Constable had indicated that in the past year almost every paramilitary group had been involved in acts of violence.

“The impression I get, particularly of the UDA, is that there has been a general collapse and that is dissolving into a series of loosely linked armed gangs which are pursuing local agendas which may be as much to do with rackets as anything else.”

In advance of the UUP part officers meeting on Friday evening, and the Saturday meeting of the party conference, Mr Trimble also gave the first indication that his party may be prepared to consider making appointments to the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

However, he refuted claims that the party was split on the issue and that nominations would be made to the new board when it was considered appropriate. He said that the UUP was a “law and order” party and would accept responsibility when the circumstances and the time were right.

The British Government expects that the main political parties will make their position know before the end of September.

So far only the nationalist SDLP have come forward to declare support and to sign up for the Police Board. (SP)