NI devolution 'over by Christmas'

The future of the Stormont government is uncertain

A senior Ulster Unionist has predicted that Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive will collapse by Christmas unless there is a start to IRA decommissioning.

Party deputy leader John Taylor gave a pessimistic assessment about the future of devolution, on the same day that US President Bill Clinton called on politicians not to give up on the Good Friday Agreement.

The comments came amid continued political uncertainty over the future of the devolved government, ahead of a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party's ruling council next Saturday, 28 October.

There is, as yet, no formal motion for the 860 delegates but it is clear they will be asked to pull their ministers out of the executive in the absence of IRA decommissioning and what they see as further concessions on policing.

Speaking in an interview for BBC Radio Ulster on Friday, Mr Taylor said that the IRA should be given a little more time to start decommissioning their weapons.

But he said he did not believe the IRA would do this, and therefore the executive could not survive.

If the IRA don't start delivering their illegal arms the whole process will become untangled

John Taylor

"I believe there is only a matter of weeks left before the Ulster Unionist Party will have to start putting brakes upon the assembly and the executive," he said.

"Time is running out. Our supporters recognise we have done everything possible to open the way for the IRA to respond.

"There has been no response. The executive cannot survive in the present circumstances. It is a matter of time before it will collapse and that's why the situation is so serious.

"No-one can blame the Ulster Unionists. We have done everything possible, perhaps gone further than we should. If the IRA don't start delivering their illegal arms the whole process will become untangled."

But Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said the IRA "had not broken any of its promises".

He added the IRA had gone as far as it could "reasonably have been expected" on the arms issue.

Meanwhile, Mr Taylor also criticised the Catholic Church, claiming it was putting pressure on the British Government over the issue of police reform, another controversial aspect of the Good Friday Agreement.

John Taylor: Predicts end of devolution

The Strangford MP said: "Archbishop Brady and other bishops, behind the scenes, have been interfering in the political institutions in Northern Ireland and especially trying to influence the government to impose the Patten Report on the unionist community in Northern Ireland."

The Patten Report on the future of policing recommended wide-ranging reforms including changing the name and badge of the service. These are among the proposals which unionists oppose.

In the interview, Mr Taylor also called for an end to infighting in the party, and said he continued to support the party leadership.

He said it was "foolish" of environment minister Sam Foster to issue a statement on Thursday, in which he attacked MPs opposed to the peace accord.

Earlier Bill Clinton, whose presidency is due to end following an election in three weeks, said he hoped to visit Northern Ireland soon.

Leadership in doubt

In an article for Friday's Belfast Telegraph newspaper, the president said full implementation of the agreement would make Northern Ireland "a beacon of hope for those who struggle for reconciliation and peace in every corner of the world - from the Balkans to the Middle East".

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon has said he is confident David Trimble will survive a meeting of his party's ruling council.

If Mr Trimble loses a policy battle on continuing to work in the executive with Sinn Fein, his leadership could be in doubt.

But Mr Mallon said: "I think those who would be looking at the various crises should be looking elsewhere."