The Ulster Unionist leader has defended his threat to resign as First Minister of the Stormont Assembly. David Trimble said that the object of his threat was to give the other parties and governments a wake up call.
Mr Trimble also said that, in the last three years, he has gone the extra mile twice in setting up an executive without movement on IRA decommissioning. He added that the postponement of the general election from May until June gave little time to focus people's minds on the contentious issue.
Mr Trimble also called on the DUP to take part in the peace negotiations after the election. He said that the party had an opportunity to make a positive contribution. The Ulster Unionist leader added that it was up to the DUP to make themselves relevant as the have not been up to now.
Mr Trimble also condemned a blackmail attempt on a potential candidate for North Down in the Westminster election. Leslie Cree, the former Mayor of North Down, was forced to withdraw from the race after he received an anonymous letter threatening to expose details of his private life. Mr Cree had fathered a child 36 years ago who was later adopted.
David Trimble praised Mr Cree for the dignity that he had shown in dealing with the issue. Mr Trimble added that it should have no affect in Mr Cree's future involvement in politics. He was speaking at the launch of a book containing details of his speeches since signing the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
