Trimble warning on unionist meeting

NI's power-sharing executive: 22 May resumption under threat

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has not ruled out postponing a crucial meeting which is to decide whether the party re-enters devolved government in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in London, Mr Trimble said he would not be rushed into deciding whether or not to retake their seats in the power-sharing executive which is scheduled to be re-established on Monday.

He needs the backing of a majority of the 860 member Ulster Unionist Council which is scheduled to meet on Saturday.

Ulster Unionists have been seeking clarification on the IRA offer to put arms beyond use and issues such as the proposed renaming of the RUC and the flying of the Union Flag on public buildings in Northern Ireland.

In an interview for BBC Northern Ireland, Mr Trimble said that there were a number of issues to consider and if that meant that the meeting on Saturday had to be postponed that was "OK".

David Trimble: Will not be rushed into decision

Mr Trimble was reacting to attempts by the government to woo the Unionists on the issues of decommissioning and the future of the RUC.

First, Secretary of State Peter Mandelson made clear in the Commons his "personal view" that the RUC name should be retained in the full legal title of the reformed police service.

Later, the Prime Minister said that he agreed with Mr Trimble that the IRA's offer to allow inspections of their arms dumps did not - on its own - represent decommissioning.

'Serious mistake'

Mr Blair added that the IRA were still under an obligation to put their arms "beyond use".

Meanwhile, in Dublin, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said it would be "a serious mistake" if the RUC issue was permitted to overshadow what had been achieved in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Ahern's comments - made while dealing with a range of questions in the Republic of Ireland's parliament on Northern Ireland - followed the raising of similar concerns by both Foreign Minister Brian Cowen and his deputy, Liz O'Donnell.

Both ministers hinted at Dublin misgivings over parts of the Police Bill presented to the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Bertie Ahern: Police need support of whole community

Mr Ahern said Northern Ireland's nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party had handed him an 11-page document listing their concerns over the policing proposals and Sinn Fein had submitted a further three pages. He also reported a number of Irish government areas of concern over the Bill.

Mr Ahern stressed that he could not agree to the planned legislation if it did not lead to the support of the whole community in Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach asked: "What use is it if the nationalist parties say `Do that and you can take it that we will not be asking any nationalist to join the police force?'"

He warned against "previous achievements being negated by the policing issue".

And the premier added in a clear message to Ulster Unionists: "This is the opportunity for people to positively and constructively go to their various meetings and support these institutions so that we can move forward."

Speaking earlier in the House of Commons, Mr Mandelson had said Dublin would not have a veto over suspending the assembly if the secretary of state felt such a move was necessary in the future.