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| Tories confirm Trimble peer move | Tories confirm Trimble peer move |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Conservative Party has confirmed that Lord Trimble is to join its party's group in the House of Lords. | The Conservative Party has confirmed that Lord Trimble is to join its party's group in the House of Lords. |
| Lord Trimble has, so far, neither confirmed or denied the move is imminent, but it has been the subject of speculation for several months. | Lord Trimble has, so far, neither confirmed or denied the move is imminent, but it has been the subject of speculation for several months. |
| The Nobel Laureate has been a peer since last June when he took the name Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey. | The Nobel Laureate has been a peer since last June when he took the name Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey. |
| The former NI first minister led the Ulster Unionists for 10 years from 1995. He will make a statement later. | The former NI first minister led the Ulster Unionists for 10 years from 1995. He will make a statement later. |
| 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 peer | There 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 and wished him well in his new role. |
| "Colleagues and seasoned commentators will not be surprised by David's decision to take the Conservative whip," said Sir Reg. | "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. | |
| "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. | "I expect that this co-operation within Westminster will now be deepened and further enhanced. |
| David Cameron said he wanted to enlarge the Conservative Party | 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." | "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. | "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 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." | "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. |