Trimble warns of violence as tension mounts in Ulster

David Trimble had an angry meeting with Mo Mowlam yesterday as tensions mounted in Ulster. Colin Brown, Chief Political Correspondent, says the Ulster Unionist leader warned her that the province faced more violence.

After the acrimonious meeting at Stormont the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland agreed to consider the Unionists' demands for a public inquiry into the killing of Billy Wright, the loyalist leader, in the Maze prison.

"We are in a very delicate situation, and a very dangerous situation," Mr Trimble said. "I'm very glad, of course, that [Tuesday] night went off peacefully. I don't have a similar confidence as regard the future."

Ministers have instigated a thorough internal investigation into the security lapse at the Maze which led to INLA gunmen shooting Wright dead in a prison van inside the prison.

There are fears that a public inquiry would be turned into a trial of the Government's policy for peace, and would be used to challenge the concessions which the Unionists believe have gone too far in appeasing the IRA in return for the continued ceasefire.

The meeting was tense after one of Mr Trimble's MPs had called for Ms Mowlam's resignation. Mr Trimble said last night that she was reconsidering her decision to have the pre-Christmas break-out from the Maze and the Wright killing investigated by the English prison service.

Underlining the Unionist distrust for Ms Mowlam, Mr Trimble said he hoped "this was not just some flip phrase thrown off to satisfy the meeting and that it would be followed up quickly so we have a proper independent inquiry with its report published".

The Ulster Unionist leader described the discussions as "very disappointing". He said: "We did not get any proper answers to the questions we raised."

He told Ms Mowlam that the complete absence of confidence in her in the Unionist community stemmed "from the correct perception that the Secretary of State has been concerned merely to appease and assuage the feelings of republicans".

After the meeting Ms Mowlam had discussions with Alan Shannon, head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and John Steele, director of security and policing at the Northern Ireland Office.

A spokesman said they were considering Mr Trimble's comments.