John Taylor of the Ulster Unionists has said that he is backing his party leader, David Trimble, in the challenge for the leadership. Speaking on BBC Northern Ireland's "Let's Talk", Mr Taylor described Reverend Martin Smyth's challenge as ill advised. Mr Smyth's challenge will take place on Saturday at a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council. Mr Trimble has faced criticisms by party colleagues after saying he would be prepared, with guarantees, to return to government with Sinn Féin before IRA arms decommissioning.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said that the challenge by the Reverend Martin Smyth against David Trimble for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party was a matter for the party. Mr Ahern was speaking after meeting the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Lisbon to discuss the Northern peace process. The meeting took place on the fringes of the European Union summit in the Portuguese capital. Mr Ahern said that the Ulster Unionists have strongly supported Mr Trimble at the last meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council. He added that enormous progress had been made in the Northern peace process but the parties would have to get back on track again after Saturday's meeting of the Unionist Council in Belfast.
Mr Trimble also received the backing of the Ulster Unionist Security spokesman, Ken Maginnis. Mr Maginnis said that he believes David Trimble will survive the challenge to his leadership from Reverend Smyth. He added that opponents of Mr Trimble did not have an alternative to the present Ulster Unionist policy and the contest did not need to take place. The party's Assembly member, Dermot Nesbitt, has also backed Mr Trimble. However, two MPs, William Ross and William Thompson, said that they would be voting for Reverend Smyth. Tony Blair said that while it was up to the UUP to make up its own mind, he had a great deal of respect for Mr Trimble for the enormous courage he had shown in the peace process.
The Reverend Martin Smyth announced his party leadership bid this morning. The South Belfast MP said that he was acting because it was time for more vigorous promotion of Ulster Unionist policies. He said that he had the backing of a number of people in the party and would be producing supporters at a news conference in Belfast tomorrow. Mr Trimble said that he was surprised and disappointed by Reverend Smyth's decision to contend the party leadership. He said that he has every confidence in the judgement of his party and hoped that Saturday's meeting would finally clear the air and unite the party.
