The Ulster Unionist Party executive has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on the British government to ensure the future of the home service battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.
An amendment by anti-Agreement MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson calling for the rejection of the joint declaration issued by London and Dublin to facilitate the restoration of the devolved government was rejected by 62 votes to 25 last night.
UUP leader Mr David Trimble, reading out the resolution, said his party would not move to support the joint declaration until the British government had given assurances on the future of the RIR.
The resolution, calling on the government to "disown publicly speculation that the RIR is to be disbanded" was passed by 74 to three with 21 abstentions.
A party source, commenting on the Donaldson amendment, said: "The main focus on this evening was squarely on the issue of the RIR not to muddy the waters. That was the overwhelming view of the executive committee."
PA