DUP in power-sharing strategy meeting

The Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists will hold a private strategy meeting today in a bid to allay concerns about the party’s involvement in efforts to revive power-sharing at Stormont.

The Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists will hold a private strategy meeting today in a bid to allay concerns about the party’s involvement in efforts to revive power-sharing at Stormont.

Northern Ireland Assembly members, MPs, peers and the party’s MEP Jim Allister are expected in Templepatrick, Co Antrim, north of Belfast, for the all-day meeting.

Mr Allister has been critical of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair's St Andrews plan for power sharing and has warned colleagues it requires significant changes before it can be deemed acceptable.

Concerns have also been expressed by ministers in Mr Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church and by some DUP councillors, including veteran Jack McKee in Larne. DUP nervousness was also apparent after last week’s aborted meeting of the Assembly.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had expected Mr Paisley to indicate in the Assembly he would seek the position of First Minister next March provided Sinn Féin fulfilled all its commitments under the St Andrews plan and his party remained the largest at Stormont after a fresh election.

However there was confusion when the North Antrim MP did not appear to meet Mr Hain’s requirement.

After the Assembly was evacuated during an attempted bomb attack by loyalist Michael Stone, a group of 12 MLAs including four MPs – Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell, the Rev William McCrea and David Simpson – took the unprecedented step of issuing their own statement outside of the normal party structures to the Press Association, insisting the DUP had not taken part in any designation process.

This was followed swiftly by a statement from Mr Paisley, clearly stating he would put his name forward as First Minister next March if the St Andrews plan were fully implemented and Sinn Féin signed up to supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In recent days the DUP leader has been keen to dismiss any suggestions of a rift within his party.

However he is expected to face concerns from senior party members at today’s meeting about the DUP’s participation in the St Andrews plan.

“There are obviously concerns within our party,” a source said. “However it is important we think about strategy. Sinn Féin is under pressure to deliver on policing. We need to focus on that and not let Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness off the hook.”

Another source said some members had concerns about aspects of the St Andrews Agreement such as plans for an Irish Language Act and the need for an effective and fair exclusion mechanism within a power-sharing executive.

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