Alliance Party resist pressure to re-designate

The Alliance Party has refused to re-designate as Unionists to allow David Trimble to be re-elected as Stormont First Minister. Earlier, The Ulster Unionist leader failed by a two-vote margin in his re-election bid.

Following discussions between the Northern Secretary and the Alliance Party, it appeared that the five Alliance members might vote in favour of Mr Trimble in a new vote next week.

Alliance leader David Ford pointed to the fact that reforms of the voting structures have not been guaranteed as the reason behind his party's decision.

Mr Ford said: "No offer has been presented other than an offer of a review. At this stage a review is insufficient on its own. What we are looking for is a reform of the system so that a majority of pro-Agreement votes counts".

Nationalist and Unionist sources were hopeful that a vote for the North's First and Deputy First Ministers could take place on Monday.

It is understood that the Northern Secretary can withhold the suspension of the political institutions to allow for an Assembly session to take place as soon as possible if he is satisfied that a process to elect the First and Deputy First Ministers has begun, and that the vote will take place soon.

Dr John Reid has until tomorrow to decide on whether to hold fresh Assembly elections or suspend the North's institutions.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party has indicated that it is prepared to take disciplinary action against Pauline Armitage and Peter Weir.

The two Assembly members joined with anti-Agreement Unionists and voted against party leader David Trimble in today's Stormont election for First Minister.

The motion to re-elect the Ulster Unionist leader as First Minister and the SDLP leader designate, Mark Durkan, Deputy First Minister, was narrowly defeated. The motion received 29 Unionist votes - not enough for the motion to be carried.

Speaking after the vote, Mr Trimble said that the Ulster Unionist Party rebels, Peter Weir and Pauline Armitage, had behaved dishonourably. The Ulster Unionist leader said that this result was not final. David Trimble said that the people of Northern Ireland would be disappointed by the results, but urged them "not to lose heart".

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness called for fresh elections rather than another suspension of the Assembly. He said that Sinn Féin was determined that opponents of the Good Friday Agreement would not prevail.

Tony Blair's Downing Street spokesman told RTÉ News that in the wake of the result of the vote the British government would now "have to see how the will of the people and the Good Friday Agreement could be implemented". Mr Blair's spokesman added that they would now begin reviewing the choices available.

A Stormont motion to allow the Women's Coalition to re-designate was passed earlier, in a bid to secure the necessary 50% of Unionist votes. Jane Morrice was willing to re-designate as a Unionist in order to vote for David Trimble, while the party's second Assembly member, Monica McWilliams, re-designated as a Nationalist.

This improved David Trimble's chances of being re-elected by the Northern Assembly to the post of First Minister, but was not sufficient. The Ulster Unionist leader, who resigned in July, put his name forward again following confirmation that the IRA had decommissioned some of its weapons.

Two UUP Assembly members indicated yesterday that they would not be voting for Mr Trimble. This morning Pauline Armitage said she would not be supporting Mr Trimble, despite attempts overnight to try to change her mind. Peter Weir said nothing as he arrived at Stormont but he spoke against the Women's Coalition's motion.

The Northern Secretary, John Reid, has described today's events as a disappointing setback but he said he believed there was enough common ground to move forward and have a successful election.

The Taoiseach welcomed David Trimble's commitment and determination to continue his efforts to pursue the implementation in full of the Good Friday Agreement. Bertie Ahern added that he was disappointed at the failure of the Northern Assembly to elect David Trimble and Mark Durcan as First and Deputy First Ministers.

The Taoiseach added: "I believe that this setback can be overcome and that everybody must do everything possible to protect the Agreement." He also said that the Agreement offers the best future for all of the people of Northern Ireland and these islands generally.