A FORMER Ulster Unionist councillor has resigned from the party amid reports of grassroots discontent about the leadership's acceptance of the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, as chairman of all party talks.
Mr David Gilmour, who served on Coleraine District Council said he disagreed with David Trimble's decision Tuesday to break ranks the DUP and the UK Unionists and make a deal confirming Mr Mitchell as chairman.
"It was a very dangerous ignoring of the mandate he received from the electorate on May 30th," Mr Gilmour said. The UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney, has claimed that some disillusioned UUP members have defected to his party.
However the UUP's deputy Mr John Taylor, and its security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, dismissed reports of growing discontent. Mr Trimble refused to comment on Mr Gilmour's resignation.
