The North has been without a First Minister since midnight following David Trimble's resignation. Mr Trimble is on a visit to France for a commemoration of the Battle of the Somme. His UUP colleague, Sir Reg Empey, will carry out some of his functions in the six-week period before Mr Trimble is re-elected or replaced by the Assembly. If the Assembly cannot agree, fresh elections will be called unless the institutions are suspended.
Mr Trimble said that the IRA must put its weapons beyond use permanently if he was to return as First Minister. He was speaking at the commemoration in Thiepval. He said that resigning to put pressure on the IRA to disarm was a risky strategy but one worth taking to further the political process. Mr Trimble said that he regretted having to resign. The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, said that the UUP leader's resignation was regrettable.
The Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, said that the move had worsened the political instability in Northern Ireland. Mr Mallon said that there was an imperative in the course of the next six weeks to resolve the outstanding issues of decommissioning, policing, demilitarisation and securing inclusive institutions.
A new round of talks begins this week chaired by Dr Reid and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen.
