New NI Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has praised the “political leadership, courage and vision” of David Trimble following his decision to stand down as Ulster Unionist Party leader.

Mr Trimble announced his intention to stand down as party leader just a day after his party suffered heavy losses in the 2005 Westminster election including his own position as MP for Upper Bann.

Mr Hain said: “David Trimble has demonstrated tremendous commitment and courageous leadership. He brought Unionism along a new and uncharted road that led to the signing of the Belfast Agreement and, subsequently, to the initial establishment of devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

“Despite facing many critics within and outside Unionism, he remained faithful to his belief in the political process to deliver a better future for all the people of Northern Ireland.”

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mr Trimble deserved credit for "concluding the Good Friday Agreement and reaching an historic deal with Irish nationalists".

However, DUP MP for Lagan Valley, and former UUP colleague of Mr Trimble’s, Jeffrey Donaldson, said the demise of the Ulster Unionist Party was largely his responsibility.

"His policy had become so out of touch with the unionist electorate, I think he had no alternative,” Mr Donaldson said.

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy, however, paid tribute to Mr Trimble saying the manner in which he resigned illustrated that he was a man of integrity.

“History will be kind to his record overall. He took extremely difficult decisions that helped transform life in Northern Ireland and people should never overlook these facts,” Mr Kennedy said.

“David Trimble tried hard to bring about peace and force republicans to end their love affair with bombs and bullets. It was and still remains a challenge of seismic proportions.

Mr Trimble will officially resign as UUP leader once a meeting of the UUP party executive takes place, during which arrangements for a special meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council to elect a new leader will take place.

(MB)