Rebel MP's should retake whip says Trimble supporter

One of David Trimble's staunchest supporters has called on the three rebel UUP MP's to get behind their leader and resume the party whip at Westminster.

David McClarty described the outcome of Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council vote as a "terrific result" saying it was "hugely important in terms of David Trimble's leadership".

Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council vote saw an attempt by three MP's - party president the Rev Martin Smyth, Jeffrey Donaldson and David Burnside – to halt Mr Trimble's moves to discipline them, fail. The three men had originally resigned the parliamentary whip in June in protest at party policy over the joint British and Irish Joint Declaration.

Mr McClarty said: "I think it is time that people accepted the decisions of the Ulster Unionist Council, got behind the leader and displayed a degree of unity which has not been seen over the past number of years.''

The former East Londonderry MLA said the onus was now on the MPs to resume the party whip at Westminster. "David's amendment was very consolatory, asking the MPs to retake the whip so as to avoid any disciplinary action in the future.

"Disciplinary action, I think, is unhelpful and I hope that we will be able to get around having to do that."

Although Saturday's attempt failed, the vote was a close run thing with three MP's securing 45% of the 900-strong vote. However, party leader David Trimble was adamant about the current situation. He said: "The reality of the situation is the party and the Ulster Unionist Council have voted for themselves, they've voted to say to people accept the decisions of the council.

"And they voted to say to people, 'withdraw your threat to split the party and retake the whip'.

"Of course if people retake the whip, as I made clear, then the issue that gives rise to consideration of disciplinary proceedings falls by the wayside.''

But, Mr Donaldson made it clear the dissident UUP MPs would not retake the whip before legislation implementing the British and Irish governments' proposals for reviving devolution had been debated at Westminster.

"Our position remains as it was. We will not be retaking the whip at Westminster, we are going to oppose the legislation linked to the joint declaration,'' he said.

(MB)