Ulster Unionists sign up to police reform body

Ending weeks of uncertainty, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) agreed to nominate three members to the Northern Ireland Police Board.

The move came after after talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid last night.

"We recognise that at this stage, taking our places on the board gives us the best opportunity to exercise the greatest influence over the future of policing in Northern Ireland," UUP leader Mr David Trimble said in a statement.

But Mr Trimble said his party had not softened its long-standing hostility to reforms first drawn up in the Patten report.

The statement was issued at midnight, the expiry date of Dr Reid's deadline for Northern Ireland's main parties to decide whether to nominate representatives to the Police Board.