Sir, - The news article from Rachel Borrill in London, entitled "Trimble makes further attack on Spring", makes deeply depressing reading. Mr Trimble emphasises that he is the leader of the largest party in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party. Unfortunately, his inflammatory language and personalised attacks on Mr Spring give one to believe that he and his party are of such little account that one should not take seriously anything he says.
The reality is that what Mr Trimble and his party decide to do, in the context of trying to achieve a peaceful solution of the problems of Northern Ireland, has implications not just for those who live in the Six Counties, but for all the people of these islands and particularly for those who live in one of the border counties of the Republic, as my family and I do.
As a senior politician and as a lawyer, he should show more restraint in his language. I would suggest that if he cannot do so, he should do the honourable thing and step down in favour of some person within the ranks of moderate unionism sure enough of his or her position to lead the UUP without having to resort to undignified personalised attacks. - Yours, etc.,
Borough Councillor,
Drogheda Corporation,
Fair Street,
Drogheda.