Fermanagh political figures pay tribute to the late Lord Trimble

The 77-year-old ex-leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, who was one of the principal architects of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement that ended decades of conflict in the region, and who jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize along with SDLP leader John Hume, died on Monday, July 25 following an illness.

Fermanagh solicitor James Cooper, who was the Vice-Chairman of the UUP when Lord Trimble was elected party leader, and held the position of Chairman for the five years immediately after the Good Friday Agreement, right up until Lord Trimble lost his seat, paid tribute to his former colleague.

Pictured from left to right James Cooper, Nelson Mandela, Lord Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson.

"During those years, I was in Downing Street and at Leeds Castle, at all the talks. I was at the peace conference with him in South Africa about five or six years before that, when we met President Nelson Mandela.

"I was in Washington [DC] quite a lot with him as well, so in a way, because I was Chairman, I was quite close to him," James told this newspaper.

He continued: "David Trimble's vision and implacable resolve – to bring an end to years of violence in Northern Ireland – was founded on his intellectual ability to shape the Good Friday Agreement and to work with two very diverse political outlooks and aspirations.

"His academic background, allied to his often fiery temperament, made him a formidable leader who was able to engage with both national and international politicians on the basis of mutual respect, and with a determination to move things forward.

"As Chairman of the party, I had the privilege of working with him in the very difficult early period of power sharing when he displayed immense bravery in bringing about decommissioning and cementing the operation of the power sharing Executive.

"This ultimately cost him his Westminster seat and brought an end to his leadership of the UUP, but I firmly believe that future generations will widely recognise his vital and huge contribution to the peace process, and the legacy that he leaves behind," said James.

Tom Elliott, UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, also paid tribute to Lord Trimble, describing him as "a visionary".

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He said: "I served with David as an Ulster Unionist MLA. He was a strong and courageous leader who passionately believed in what he was doing. David was a visionary and forward-thinking leader.

"He leaves behind a lasting legacy across Northern Ireland."

In tribute, Arlene Foster, former First Minister and DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: "I am so very sorry to hear of Lord Trimble’s passing.

"We didn’t always agree, that is a matter of record, but he and I both shared a passion for the Union – something we reflected on when we last met in June, at Queen's University Belfast.

"His enduring desire to protect and promote the Union will be his legacy, as shown in the court case which we were both applicants to against the NI Protocol."