Hardline unionist suspended

Peter Weir: Voting record being scrutinised

A hardline Ulster Unionist has been suspended from the party because he consistently voted against the party line in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

North Down assemblyman Peter Weir, a fierce opponent of the Good Friday Agreement, was called before a disciplinary hearing on Friday evening.

A six-person panel conducted the hearing at the party's headquarters in Belfast, where Mr Weir had to give an account of his voting record.

Among those on the panel, was East Londonderry MP William Ross, also a critic of the 1998 peace accord.

Afterwards, Mr Weir left without making any comment.

In 1999, Mr Weir lost the party whip at the assembly for refusing to toe the party line.

Selection vote

He is also believed to have an uneasy relationship with his party leader, First Minister David Trimble.

Mr Weir is the party's North Down candidate in the forthcoming general election.

His selection was seen as a blow to the pro-agreement faction of the party.

However, there has been no suggestion the constituency association is seeking a replacement for Mr Weir, following his suspension.

Last year, he was ordered out of the inaugural meeting of a new party grouping, Re-Union, set up to encourage people to play a fuller part in politics.

Mr Trimble told Mr Weir the meeting was private and he had not been officially invited.

The group said it had nothing to do with the ongoing internal party debate between those who favour the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its opponents.