Ulster Unionist Party officers tonight selected a new disciplinary committeeto consider the case of three rebel MPs.
In a statement issued after the meeting, UUP president the Rev Martin Smythsaid that the party officers had deferred making a formal referral to thecommittee until a further meeting of the officers is convened within the nextthree weeks.
A party source said that the three week period was to buy time to see if theproblems dogging the Ulster Unionist Party can be resolved.
Formation of a new committee following a High Court judgment earlier this monththat an attempt to suspend MPs Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, the Rev Martin Smyth and Mr David Burnside contravened the party's rules.
The attempts to discipline the three MPs came after they resigned the partywhip at Westminster in protest at the UUP's failure to reject the Governments' joint declaration on the way forward for the peace process.
There had been speculation that the Ulster Unionist Council could bereconvened to rally around the three MPs and stave off disciplinary action.
The three-week breathing space will give an opportunity for those includingSir Reg Empey, a party vice-president, who are trying to find middle groundbetween the warring factions in the UUP.
Party leader Mr David Trimble, who is under intense pressure from theanti-agreement wing of this party, left the party headquarters in East Belfastbefore the statement was issued.
PA