Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble today denied claims that he has been involved in behind-the-scenes moves to become a member of the shadow cabinet.
The Upper Bann MP, who was returned unopposed as the UUP leader at a meeting of the party's ruling council in Belfast yesterday, was said by reports to be considering a new role in the Conservative Party.
They quoted sources close to Mr Trimble as saying if he were to lose a future UUP leadership challenge he would forge closer links with the Tories and may even play an Opposition role against Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The Sunday Tribunenewspaper quoted Trimble confidantes as saying he did not like being Northern Ireland First Minister and would relish being "a big player" with a new role at Westminster with the Conservatives.
The News of the Worldalso carried a story claiming Conservative peer, Viscount Cranborne had brokered a deal which would see Mr Trimble lining up as the Tories' Northern Ireland spokesman on the Opposition benches.
It claimed Viscount Cranborne had discussed the idea with all the contenders for the Conservative leadership and had had no major objections.
However Mr Trimble dismissed the reports through his official spokesman.
The spokesman said the Ulster Unionist leader had not had "any discussion with Viscount Cranborne or any senior members of the Conservative Party.
"We flatly reject these claims that the UUP is on the verge of linking up with the Conservative Party."
Mr Trimble is due to stand down as First Minister next week unless the IRA moves significantly to decommission its arsenal.
He yesterday called on Mr Blair and SDLP deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon to honour past pledges to remove Sinn Fein ministers Mr Martin McGuinness and Ms Bairbre de Brun from ministerial office if the IRA does not empty its arms dumps.
In a tough talking speech to Ulster Unionist Council delegates he insisted: "We do want decommissioning. We do want peace. We do want devolution. We do want accountable democracy.
"We are prepared to shoulder a considerable burden but we can't carry it alone. We do have to remind Tony Blair of his promises. We do have to remind Seamus Mallon of his guarantee. Sooner or later, they will have to live up to their fine words."
PA