Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has won a crucial vote at his party's ruling council on a six-point proposal on the way forward for the North's peace process.
54% of the delegates voted in favour of Mr Trimble's proposals.
Party members were voting on a motion put forward by the anti-agreement Unionist, Jeffrey Donaldson, which proposes an outright rejection of the Joint Declaration by the British and Irish governments.
750 delegates of the Ulster Unionist Council met at a hotel in South Belfast this evening to vote on a motion which could have implications for the future leadership of the UUP.
Mr Donaldson, said he would consider his position within the UUP if the vote did not go his way.
Mr Donaldson has dismissed a compromise amendment from Mr Trimble which, while refusing to endorse the Joint Declaration, does not reject it outright.
