Ulster Unionists are to consider merging with the British Conservative Party, it was confirmed today.
Talks are to be held next week, but senior sources believe a new relationship is unlikely.
Mr David Trimble, facing new pressure from opponents to act over the IRA ceasefire, is pushing for a formal merger with the Tories at Westminster.
Lagan Valley MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson said: "I know that there are a number of colleagues who have grave concerns about the proposals but it would be unfair to comment on detail in advance of the meeting."
Mr Trimble, seeking to increase his party's influence at Westminster is hoping to renew the strong links with the Conservatives, which were severed after Mrs Margaret Thatcher signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985.
But it is believed that one of Mr Trimble's most loyal allies, Sir Reg Empey, is leading the opposition to formal links.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist leader, who faces a meeting of his 120 strong party Executive on Saturday, is expected to come under pressure to withdraw from the power-sharing Stormont Executive.
South Antrim MP Mr David Burnside said the UUP must take action if the Secretary of State John Reid does not declare a breach of the IRA ceasefire.
"The party needs to seek the exclusion of Sinn Féin with support from the DUP and SDLP. If they aren't excluded I believe we have approached the point where unionist ministers can no longer participate in the Executive."
PA