There was no question of Alliance Party members repeating the decision to redesignate its members in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the party's leader, Mr David Ford, declared yesterday.
After meeting the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in Downing Street, Mr Ford said the party's three members had "saved" the institutions when they redesignated last November to secure the re-election of Mr David Trimble as First Minister. However, he said, long-term difficulties had not been resolved and must be addressed. The party would not repeat the decision to redesignate.
Mr Ford described the meeting as "extremely constructive".