The three Ulster Unionists MPs facing party disciplining action claimed today that the withdrawal of the threat would unite the party.
Nine hundred members of the party's ruling council have gathered in Belfast's Ulster Hall for a crucial showdown over the disciplinary action, and one of the MPs, Mr David Burnside, appealed to delegates to put party unity before internal divisions.
"If we embark upon the route that the leader of the party is suggesting it will lead to confrontation with half the parliamentary party, the three MPs and the Ulster Unionist associations," Mr Burnside claimed.
The Ulster Unionist Council will today debate disciplinary action against Mr Burnside, Lagan Valley MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and South Belfast MP the Rev Martin Smyth.
Supporters of party leader, Mr David Trimble initiated the disciplinary moves after the MPs resigned the party whip in June in a dispute over policy.
UUP sources today claimed that the vote would hinge on the votes of several key figures who have previously supported UUP leader David Trimble.
Former Stormont Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey was attracting the most interest.
During the summer he has been critical of the disciplinary action and has appealed to the feuding factions in the party to end their dispute.
There were also suggestions that former Newry and Armagh MLA Mr Danny Kennedy, former West Tyrone MLA Mr Derek Hussey and former North Belfast MLA Mr Fred Cobain would oppose the leadership.
Mr Trimble was in jovial form heading in to today's meeting, refusing to comment on how the council would vote.
However, his long-term supporters rallied around him. Former Stormont Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey said he believed the vote would be close but once again Mr Trimble would carry the day.
"As far as all this talk about the disciplinary action splitting the party is concerned, I think the party's amendment to the motion before the council today deals with that.
"If they resume the whip and abide by the decisions of the Ulster Unionist Council then that is the end of the matter.
"I think that taking the whip of the party is understood to be fundamental to membership of the party. So I don't see that there should be conflict there."
PA