United Ulster Unionists - Trimble
A jubilant David Trimble emerged from the meeting saying he expected to remain Ulster Unionist leader by next year’s annual general meeting of the council.
He added that it was clear from today’s meeting that the party was united in its determination after he was re-elected as Ulster Unionist leader.
His party will continue to secure IRA disarmament through his resignation but he stressed the need for Prime Minister Tony Blair and Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to honour their pledge to get tough on republicans if they did not deliver decommissioning.
‘‘In the absence of any action, not words but action on this issue, I will vacate the office of First Minister,’’ he again stressed.
‘‘My resignation is part of a graduated response. Other parties have the opportunity to save the situation. We cannot be expected to carry the burden all alone.
‘‘I refer in particular what we heard from the Prime Minister and the guarantees we heard from Seamus Mallon.
‘‘Sooner or later they are going to have to live up to their words.’’
