British defence chiefs have denied claims that Royal Irish Regiment battalions will be axed as part of plans to cut troop levels in Northern Ireland.
The future of 3,000 soldiers in the regiment was plunged into uncertainty after an internal draft memo by military authorities admitted the plans were inevitable.
The General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland, Lieutenant General Philip Trousdell, said in the document that all three home service battalions of the Royal Irish would no longer be needed once the paramilitary threat was ended.
Even though British Army top brass pulled back from the claims and insisted any move was totally dependent on the security threat being lifted, the speculation provoked a furore among Unionists.
Amid claims from hardliners that he had been aware of negotiations to get rid of the Royal Irish, Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble warned the British Government he would do nothing to help sell its plans to break the deadlocked peace process unless assurances over the regiment were given.
Following a crunch meeting with Defence Secretary Mr Geoff Hoon and Mr Trimble, the MoD tonight stressed there were no plans to wind up the unit. A statement said: "It's simply untrue that the government has plans to disband the Royal Irish in general or the home service battalion in particular."
Mr Trimble refused to comment after the talks in London, but party sources insisted the statement would shore up his position ahead of a crunch meeting with the UUP's grass roots next week.
Hardline Ulster Union MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson has forced a head-on confrontation with his party leader over the issue by calling a meeting of the 860-strong ruling council in a bid to formally reject the joint declaration issued by the British and Irish governments. That blueprint for restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland includes plans to slash troop levels as part of a major de-militarisation programme.
Although it is totally dependent on the IRA declaring its war is over for good, Mr Donaldson has claimed it must be dismissed by his party because of the threat it poses to the Royal Irish.
PA