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Tories confirm Trimble peer move Trimble's long-term Tory ambition
(about 1 hour later)
The Conservative Party has confirmed that Lord Trimble is to join its party's group in the House of Lords. Lord Trimble has been talking about his decision to join the Conservatives.
The former NI first minister, who led the Ulster Unionists for 10 years from 1995, said the move was part of a "long-term ambition".The former NI first minister, who led the Ulster Unionists for 10 years from 1995, said the move was part of a "long-term ambition".
The Nobel Laureate added it would give his political career a "wider horizon" but said he did not want to "rush into" taking on a shadow cabinet post. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that it was something that had been on his mind many times over the years.
He became a peer in June 2006 and took the name Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey. "Now that Northern Ireland is settled, I'm free to follow what's been an ambition for many years," said Lord Trimble - who became a peer last June.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "It's something that's been on my mind many times over the years. I'm delighted to see the party come through a very serious challenge in which a very serious attempt was made to destroy it and I look forward to the party re-building Lord Trimble
"Now that Northern Ireland is settled, I'm free to follow what's been an ambition for many years." "I took this decision several months ago and held back the implementation of it so that nothing could happen in the run up to the election," he added.
Get settled "I am delighted to see the party come through a very serious challenge in which a very serious attempt was made to destroy it and I look forward to the party re-building."
However, Lord Trimble played down suggestions that he had a "beady eye" on a top job. The Nobel Laureate said the move would give his political career a "wider horizon" but revealed that he did not want to "rush into" taking on a shadow cabinet post.
"Actually I said to David I don't want to be rushing into things. I don't want to be heading in that direction," he said.
"I think the first thing I should do is to get accustomed to their own way of doing things."
Lord Trimble won a Nobel Peace Prize, along with the SDLP's John Hume, for his part in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.Lord Trimble won a Nobel Peace Prize, along with the SDLP's John Hume, for his part in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
However, he stepped down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after losing his Westminster seat in Upper Bann in the 2005 general election.However, he stepped down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after losing his Westminster seat in Upper Bann in the 2005 general election.
In total, the Ulster Unionist Party lost four of its seats in that poll.In total, the Ulster Unionist Party lost four of its seats in that poll.
There has been a long, historic tradition of Ulster Unionist figures at Westminster co-operating with the Conservative Party Lord RoganUUP peerThere has been a long, historic tradition of Ulster Unionist figures at Westminster co-operating with the Conservative Party Lord RoganUUP peer
It is thought the links between the unionist movement and the Conservatives make it a natural transfer for Lord Trimble.It is thought the links between the unionist movement and the Conservatives make it a natural transfer for Lord Trimble.
Sir Reg Empey, who succeeded Lord Trimble as Ulster Unionist leader, paid tribute to him and wished him well in his new role. Sir Reg Empey, who succeeded Lord Trimble as Ulster Unionist leader, paid tribute to him.
"Colleagues and seasoned commentators will not be surprised by David's decision to take the Conservative whip," said Sir Reg. "I think this is a smart move. In the event of David Cameron winning an election it would put somebody who really has the interest of the Union at heart right in the centre of national political life," said Sir Reg.
"I think this is a smart move. In the event of David Cameron winning an election it would put somebody who really has the interest of the Union at heart right in the centre of national political life. "Through his vision and commitment, David, along with others, helped to transform politics here in Northern Ireland."
"Through his vision and commitment, David, along with others, helped to transform politics here in Northern Ireland.
"I wish him well in whatever role he takes within national political life."
UUP peer Lord Rogan of lower Iveagh said Lord Trimble's decision to become a Conservative peer was understandable and natural.UUP peer Lord Rogan of lower Iveagh said Lord Trimble's decision to become a Conservative peer was understandable and natural.
"There has been a long, historic tradition of Ulster Unionist figures at Westminster co-operating with the Conservative Party," Lord Rogan said."There has been a long, historic tradition of Ulster Unionist figures at Westminster co-operating with the Conservative Party," Lord Rogan said.
"I expect that this co-operation within Westminster will now be deepened and further enhanced. Tory leader David Cameron visited Belfast last autumn
David Cameron said he wanted to enlarge the Conservative Party
"Lord Trimble will continue to be a friend of Northern Ireland, the union and the Ulster Unionist Party."
During a visit to Belfast last October, Conservative leader David Cameron held the door open to Lord Trimble joining his party.During a visit to Belfast last October, Conservative leader David Cameron held the door open to Lord Trimble joining his party.
While the Tory leader denied there had been any discussion at that time, he said: "David Trimble is a friend of the Conservative Party.While the Tory leader denied there had been any discussion at that time, he said: "David Trimble is a friend of the Conservative Party.
"The Conservative Party is a friend of David Trimble.
"I have huge admiration for him. I got to know him a little bit in the last Parliament.
"I am in the business of trying to enlarge the Conservative Party."
A formal announcement by Lord Trimble is expected later on Tuesday.A formal announcement by Lord Trimble is expected later on Tuesday.