THE ULSTER Unionist Party (UUP) has postponed its annual conference pending the outcome of a consultation with members about whether to establish a closer link with the Conservative Party.
The conference was due to be held on Saturday fortnight with an expectation that Tory leader David Cameron would attend to cement the new relationship between the two parties.
It was decided, however, to postpone the conference in order to allow wider consultation with party members about closer co-operation with the Conservatives, explained a senior UUP source yesterday.
He said most members favoured the proposal, although some such as Assembly member Fred Cobain and former councillor Chris McGimpsey were known to have serious misgivings about such a merger.
There were also queries about whether the UUP's only MP Lady (Sylvia) Hermon would be prepared to take the Tory whip at Westminster.
"I think it will still happen, but we need to talk to our members to make sure people are on board. There is no point in going ahead with a half-baked measure, or inviting David Cameron to our conference until everything is sorted," the source added.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the conference would eventually take place regardless of the state of talks with the Conservatives.
"Given that a joint statement from David Cameron and I was only released at the end of July during which time our Assembly was in recess, we have only had over one month to discuss the relevant issues," he said.
"We will take as much time as is possible to discuss issues with the Conservatives," added Sir Reg.
Meanwhile the Traditional Unionist Voice MEP Jim Allister has criticised US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama after he endorsed calls for an independent inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane in February 1989.
Mr Obama's support was in a response to a questionnaire compiled by the Irish American Unity Conference and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mr Obama said he would support a reconciliation process that seeks the comprehensive truth about past violence.
Asked whether an administration led by him would continue to support, as the past two US administrations have, an international inquiry into the murder, Mr Obama said he believed there should be an independent, public inquiry, as former Canadian judge Peter Cory recommended.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said Barack Obama had adopted an important and welcome position on the issue. "It is crucial that state collusion continues to be highlighted," he said.
Mr Allister said: "As ever, Sinn Féin/IRA want the spotlight shone everywhere but on their own murderous past.
"As for Obama, he should have had more sense than to pander to the whims of insatiable and blinkered Irish-American interest groups. If this is the partisan way he would behave as president then, if he is elected, we're headed back to the unhelpful meddling of the Clinton era," he added.