Student group severs link with UUP

The association is unhappy with the UUP leader's tactics

The Queen's University Unionist Association has voted to end its historic links with the Ulster Unionist Party.

In a statement on Wednesday, the association accused the party leader David Trimble of disregarding the views of a majority of unionists by continuing to share power with Sinn Fein.

At the association's annual general meeting, the vote to end the link was "unanimous", according to a statement.

The group accused David Trimble of disregarding the views of most unionists through his support for "Sinn Fein IRA remaining in government and through the continued flow of concessions to republicans".

Together we will seek to rebuild unionism and oppose the train of concessions to violent republicanism

Peter Weir Association vice-chairman

"Our membership has suffered due to our links with the UUP and there is no longer any legitimate reason for us to remain a part of what is a farcical unionist party," said the statement.

The association has five votes in the Ulster Unionist Council and the link with the party dates back more than 50 years.

The association claimed there was no longer an effective anti-agreement wing within the UUP.

"For anti-agreement unionists to remain with the UUP only serves to prop up the failed policies of David Trimble," the statement added.

The move was welcomed by North Down assembly member Peter Weir who last month joined the anti-Agreement Democratic Unionist Party.

Mr Weir was expelled from the UUP last year after he failed to support Mr Trimble as he sought re-election as first minister.

Mr Weir, a former chairman of the association, was elected a vice-president of the body on Wednesday.

He said he looked forward to working with unionists at the university in the future.

"Together we will seek to rebuild unionism and oppose the train of concessions to violent republicanism," he said.

Mr Weir added that the decision highlighted further that "younger unionists have given up on the UUP".