Northern Ireland would be plunged into a "nightmare of Freddie Krueger
proportions" if the Northen Assembly’s First Minister, Mr David Trimble's reign as the leader of unionism continued after next year's Assembly elections, it was claimed tonight.
The DUP’s deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinso, said his party would re-negotiate the Belfast Agreement if it emerged victorious after the May election.
"Unionists need to have a resolute and firm hand on the tiller, not the limp wrist of a political wimp. A failure to face up to a resurgent Sinn Fein/IRA after the election will leave unionism a prey to its enemies.
"Trimble is incapable of holding his ground. He is putty in Provo hands. This is a nightmare scenario of Freddie Krueger proportions," he said.
Mr Robinson was speaking in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, just hours after DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley met British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to discuss the level of violence in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Agreement in 1998.
Mr Robinson vowed that if the DUP became the largest unionist party, it would secure a better deal for unionism.
"Northern Ireland faces continued uncertainty and instability under the Belfast Agreement," he said.
"Most intelligent people in [Northern Ireland] and outside recognise that the only way to secure stable political structures is to ensure they have the support of both sections of the community."
Earlier, Dr Paisley accused the Government of "selling the lie" that the Agreement had brought relative peace to the Province.
PA