Robinson slams Trimble’s election stance

DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson has slammed Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble after the Upper Bann MP confirmed that his party will not be supporting the election of a First or Deputy First Minister.

A move Mr Robinson branded as "hypocrisy" as he claimed that the UUP leader was using the current deadlock to garner votes within unionism by "talking tough".

Mr Robinson said: "In 2001 before the Westminster election David Trimble said he would resign as First Minister after the election. People will however not forget that David Trimble re-entered government with Sinn Fein/IRA despite no proof of decommissioning having taken place. Now, he once again tries the same stunt.

"Indeed the hypocrisy of Mr Trimble is such that he now claims that decommissioning without the end of paramilitary activity is a hollow gesture. This is a very different story than Mr Trimble was telling when he used the decommissioning of the IRA to justify his returning to power.”

Earlier in the day Mr Trimble confirmed his party's intention not to support any future election of a First of Deputy First Minister after next month's Assembly elections given the current impasse over the IRA's future intentions.

Mr Trimble said: “The Prime Minister said last week that he wants elections to take place against a positive background. That is not yet present. But, we appeal to people to realise that republicans are gradually coming to the point of no return in the journey they are being forced to take towards peace, the resolve of the law abiding people of Northern Ireland must not weaken or frustration cloud their judgement."

Following these comments, Mr Robinson said: "Even hours after the election campaign got underway David Trimble continues to do all he can to get it put off."

He said not supporting the election of a First or Deputy First Minister was "another cynical attempt to pressurise the Prime Minister into delaying the election".

(MB)