The Ulster Unionist leader has rounded on his critics in the party, accusing opponents of the Good Friday Agreement of undermining his leadership by making public attacks on its leadership. At the Ulster Unionists' annual conference in Belfast, David Trimble strongly defended the leadership's continued support for the agreement. However, he also cast doubt on the party's continued involvement in the North-South institutions set up under the accord. The Ulster Unionist leader has called on his fellow Unionists not to undermine the devolved Executive.
Mr Trimble's leadership of the party has come under renewed threat from opponents of the Good Friday Agreement since last month's defeat of the Ulster Unionist candidate in the South Antrim by-election. He also faces a motion of no confidence as First Minister in the Assembly on Monday. Yesterday, he warned that the party would reconsider its future participation in the Northern Ireland Executive and other institutions if the agreement was not fully implemented.
