Reid defends Trimble's record

The Northern Secretary has defended the record of the Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, saying his critics within the party have nothing to offer in his place.

Dr John Reid was speaking ahead of a meeting next Saturday of the Ulster Unionist Council, which has the power to order Mr Trimble to pull out of government with Sinn Féin.

The Northern Secretary also denied that the planned appointment of a monitor to check paramilitary violence was aimed at helping Mr Trimble fend off his internal critics.

Dr Reid believes an independent monitor is in the public interest.