Unionist MPs end peace plan support

Burnside and Donaldson break ranks with UUP leadership

Efforts by the British and Irish Governments to break the Northern Ireland political impasse have suffered a setback after two hardline unionists withdrew their support from the process.

Ulster Unionist MPs Jeffrey Donaldson and David Burnside have called on the British Government to begin a new series of negotiations without Irish Government input following the IRA's refusal to disarm.

Their statement came as the two governments prepared to present a political package to the pro-Agreement parties.

The document deals with the issues which have deadlocked the political process - arms, policing, demilitarisation and the stability of the political institutions.

The current crisis was brought to a head by the resignation of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble as Northern Ireland first minister on 1 July because the IRA had not begun to disarm.

However, Mr Donaldson and Mr Burnside have made it clear that they think the current negotiations have only served to feed nationalists' and republicans' "insatiable demands".

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They said: "The only way to break out of an inherently unstable peace process is for the Ulster Unionists, in co-operation with other parties, to inform the British Government that we will no longer negotiate with the two governments jointly.

Seamus Mallon: "This is a negative and destructive statement"

"We require negotiations with Her Majesty's Government to replace the present institution of the assembly and the executive with a new democratically accountable form of local administration."

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, Mr Donaldson said the two MPs had withdrawn their support because they believed negotiations on the package "are continuing in secret behind closed doors with Sinn Fein/IRA".

He said it was intended as "a shot across the bows of the government" and not an attempt to boost his own profile.

Parties react

Reacting to the statement, the deputy leader of the anti-Agreement DUP, Peter Robinson welcomed its "tenor".

Peter Robinson welcomed statement from two MPs

He said his party was prepared to join with other unionists in telling the British Government they were not prepared to accept the current negotiations.

However, the SDLP's Seamus Mallon, who is Northern Ireland acting deputy first minister said he was "disappointed, but not surprised by this negative and destructive outburst about the future of the peace process".

Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson also condemned the Mr Donaldson and Mr Burnside's comments and insisted the Good Friday Agreement was still "the only show in town".

Leader of the loyalist Ulster Democratic Party Gary McMichael said the move was premature, because the new proposals may yet produce IRA decommissioning.

He added: "I think that this may be designed to undermine Trimble more than about a real concern for the institutions."

Dublin talks

The joint package, which was expected on Friday, may be delayed until next week.

Gerry Adams: "Sinn Fein wants decommissioning"

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and the party's Mid Ulster MP Martin McGuinness met Mr Ahern in Dublin on Thursday evening, before the Taoiseach was due to travel to England on Friday.

Mr Ahern will meet Mr Blair in his Sedgefield constituency, before the UK prime minister leaves for South America on Sunday.

Gerry Adams said his three-hour meeting with the Taoiseach was "detailed and satisfactory".

Sinn Fein earlier denied the meeting was a last minute attempt to squeeze more concessions on the package.

Mr Adams said a range of issues had been discussed, including decommissioning.

"We don't run away from the issue of the decommissioning of weapons. We want to see it. We are working towards it," he said.

"The IRA for their part have said they are prepared to put weapons beyond use.

"What the two governments, and particularly the British Government, can to do bring this about, is it to honour their responsibilities and obligations by making this process work."