Resignation: how events unfolded The announcement of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble's resignation was made after a meeting of senior party figures which took place in Belfast on Saturday morning.
In addition to Mr Trimble, the attendance at the meeting, held in a private house, included party chairman James Cooper and party president Lord Rogan. It is understood that the party's member of the European Parliament James Nicholson was also present, as well as others.
Earlier that morning, in an interview broadcast on BBC Radio's Today programme, Mr Trimble indicated his resignation was not imminent.
Asked whether he would step down over the weekend, Mr Trimble said: "Not this weekend, and I'm not sure what I will do, to be quite honest. I am going to consult with colleagues. There is a collective leadership of the UUP. We will come to a consensus about the way forward and take it from there."
On Friday evening, he said he was "a servant of the party", and added: "What I'll do - I have already spoken to some colleagues - but I am going to consult broadly among senior colleagues and we will arrive at a collective decision as we do on all important matters and we will see where we go from there."
UUP rules do not require that the party leader has to be an MP but party sources said it was their understanding that Mr Trimble told his colleagues at the meeting on Saturday that he wanted to go. However, he will remain as nominal leader until a successor has been chosen.
The Saturday meeting ended before 11.30am and arrangements were then made for the preparation of a statement which was issued shortly after 3pm. Prior to the release of the statement, efforts were made to contact other senior party figures to inform them in advance.
However, it emerged yesterday that Lady Sylvia Hermon, the party's sole remaining representative in the House of Commons, was told the news by RTÉ.
She said she was "disappointed" not to have been notified in advance of the statement although she paid tribute to Mr Trimble as "a man of great personal integrity, a courageous leader".
In his statement, Mr Trimble thanked party members for their support since he became leader 10 years ago: "There have been difficult times, but also times when we have been able to make a difference. I have no doubt that Northern Ireland is a much better place and unionism greatly advantaged because of our efforts."
Paying tribute to the UUP leader, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "He showed real leadership - vision, courage and a sheer dogged determination despite all the difficulties involved in the search for peace."
UUP Assembly member for South Belfast Esmond Birnie said in a statement yesterday that Mr Trimble "did the right thing for Northern Ireland" by signing the Belfast Agreement and then attempting to engage with Sinn Féin to test their commitment to democracy.