Trimble warns UUP could not enter government in current climate

The future of the executive has been entangled by the Gordian Knot that is the arms decommissioning issue, after the UUP leader warned today that he could not recommend that his party return to government.

Mr Trimble's comments will place a weighty question mark, if not directly over the elections actually taking place, then certainly on the prospects of an executive forming after November 26.

Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, the Upper Bann MP acknowledged the "widespread disappointment" his decision to put the process on hold has created but, as "the IRA had not been open and honest in its dealings", his hand was forced.

He said that the party believed that the IICD report would be "the weak point", but he defended his insistence on "seeing the colour of republicans' money".

And whilst Mr Trimble conceded that history would show that Tuesday's statements from the republican movement signified a "positive and significant day", acts of completion must occur to overcome the impasse.

However, Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty urged Mr Trimble to stick to the agreement that the parties thrashed out during months of talks with the two governments.

Mr Doherty said: "The fact is that we had an agreement between Sinn Féin the UUP and the two governments. David Trimble for whatever reason chose not to go through on that agreement at the last minute.

“This has created very obvious difficulties for the process. However we all should now concentrate on trying to build on the progress that was undoubtedly made over recent weeks and months and get this process back on track."

(gmcg)