Trimble 'set to become Tory peer'

David Trimble has been a peer since last June

Former Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble is to join the Conservative Party in the House of Lords.

Lord Trimble would not confirm or deny the reports, but his ex-colleagues are thought to have indicated that he will join the Conservatives.

He has been a peer since last June. He was leader of the Ulster Unionist Party for 10 years from 1995.

Lord Trimble was Northern Ireland's first minister from 1999 to 2002. An announcement is expected on Tuesday.

There has been speculation for a number of months about him moving to the Conservatives.

He won a Nobel Peace Prize along with then SDLP leader John Hume for their part in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Lord Trimble stepped down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after losing his Westminster seat in Upper Bann in the 2005 general election.

In total, the Ulster Unionist Party lost four of its seats in that poll.