Rebels who sank Trimble bid

Trimble was blocked from retaking his old job by two of his own party colleagues

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Two rebels from his own party prevented Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble being restored as Northern Ireland's First Minister.

Peter Weir, a barrister from Bangor, Co Down, and Pauline Armitage, a former soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, were the two assembly members from the official Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) who defied their leader.

They said they had concerns about the extent of decommissioning of weapons announced by the IRA.

In the run-up to the vote the two met with General John de Chastelain, head of the international disarmament commission, who has said he has witnessed the IRA putting some of its guns, ammunition and explosions beyond use.

RESOURCES In-depth: Conflict and hope  in Northern Ireland IRA statement  October 23   MORE STORIES Belfast businesses hoping for Titanic change

PETER WEIR, 32, is a founding member of Union First, a pressure group within the party which has major reservations over the Good Friday Agreement and who has yet to be convinced of Sinn Fein and the IRA's commitment to lasting non-violence.

Weir lost the party whip for failing to support Mr Trimble in a vote in December 1999 over measures to establish 10 ministerial departments and six cross-border bodies.

His relationship with the party leadership soured completely when he was deselected as the North Down candidate in the last General Election.

Weir is unmarried. He plays cricket, enjoys reading and music and supports Manchester United.

A colleague told the Press Association: "He is very much aware of the concerns within the party. I don't think he is under pressure.

"He believes you only come under pressure if you allow the pressure to get to you. Peter is not at that stage...yet."

PAULINE ARMITAGE once ran a babies nursery store in the centre of Coleraine.

She has been a member of the Unionist Party since 1969, and has been a local councillor in her home town since 1985. She was mayor of Coleraine from 1995 to 1997.

Opponents say her popularity has fallen however and in last year's election was close to losing her seat -- bringing the nickname "fifth count Polly" according to one of her political rivals.

Married with a daughter, Armitage's main political interests are housing and health issues.

However, her background as an Ulster Defence Regiment "Greenfinch" volunteer she also maintains a big interest in security matters.

A senior source told PA: "Pauline is sincere, well-intentioned and conscientious, but she is under considerable influence from other people with an axe to grind. It is unfortunate she does not stand up to them.

One of her harshest critics told the news agency: "It is not necessarily about decommissioning, more about the progress David Trimble has made trying to effect change.

"They chose to flog this issue to the death with no regard for the party's well being."