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MEP Allister 'may leave the DUP' MEP Allister 'may leave the DUP'
(30 minutes later)
There is growing speculation that the MEP Jim Allister may be about to resign from the DUP.There is growing speculation that the MEP Jim Allister may be about to resign from the DUP.
Mr Allister is known to be opposed to the DUP executive resolution committing to power-sharing with Sinn Fein in May.Mr Allister is known to be opposed to the DUP executive resolution committing to power-sharing with Sinn Fein in May.
He has called a news conference to issue a statement on his position after the ground-breaking meeting between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams at Stormont.He has called a news conference to issue a statement on his position after the ground-breaking meeting between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams at Stormont.
Mr Allister was elected to the European Parliament in 2004, ending a 17-year absence from frontline politics.Mr Allister was elected to the European Parliament in 2004, ending a 17-year absence from frontline politics.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "It is no secret that Jim Allister is one of the DUP politicians most hostile to sharing power with Sinn Fein.BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "It is no secret that Jim Allister is one of the DUP politicians most hostile to sharing power with Sinn Fein.
"He has previously called for a lengthy period to test republican intentions and proof that structures, such as the IRA army council, have been disbanded."He has previously called for a lengthy period to test republican intentions and proof that structures, such as the IRA army council, have been disbanded.
"On Saturday, he was one of the members of the 120-strong DUP executive who voted against the resolution committing the party to sharing power in May."On Saturday, he was one of the members of the 120-strong DUP executive who voted against the resolution committing the party to sharing power in May.
"He drove away from Castlereagh council before Ian Paisley emerged, flanked by the majority of his colleagues.""He drove away from Castlereagh council before Ian Paisley emerged, flanked by the majority of his colleagues."
'Fundamental negatives''Fundamental negatives'
If Mr Allister is now leaving the DUP, it will not be the first time he has parted company with Ian Paisley.If Mr Allister is now leaving the DUP, it will not be the first time he has parted company with Ian Paisley.
In the 1980s, he left active politics after disagreeing with his leader's tactics after the Anglo-Irish Agreement.In the 1980s, he left active politics after disagreeing with his leader's tactics after the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
His return to the DUP fold to stand as an MEP surprised those who believed he had already given up politics to concentrate on his legal career.His return to the DUP fold to stand as an MEP surprised those who believed he had already given up politics to concentrate on his legal career.
Last October, Mr Allister said the St Andrews Agreement had definite gains but also fundamental negatives.Last October, Mr Allister said the St Andrews Agreement had definite gains but also fundamental negatives.
He said down sides included the length of the testing period for Sinn Fein and enforced mandatory coalition. He said disadvantages included the length of the testing period for Sinn Fein and enforced mandatory coalition.
He also said there was no mechanism to exclude Sinn Fein if it "defaulted", other than to punish all parties.He also said there was no mechanism to exclude Sinn Fein if it "defaulted", other than to punish all parties.
Mr Allister said it would be "intolerable for any unionist" if the IRA army council was still in existence when the parties are due to share power. He said this would be a deal-breaker for him.Mr Allister said it would be "intolerable for any unionist" if the IRA army council was still in existence when the parties are due to share power. He said this would be a deal-breaker for him.