after the hillsborough agreement the democratic unionist party (dup) began a campaign with the apparent motive of reducing morale in the regiment and causing mass resignations by undermining the confidence of soldiers in their officers. during this period ian paisley announced to the press that soldiers in ballymena had been requested to report to barracks to be disarmed prior to the part-time cadre being disbanded. the dup press office claimed that the use of english officers and senior ncos was "london and dublin insisting the udr could not be trusted". and peter robinson, the deputy dup leader, advised soldiers not to co-operate with policemen who were attached to their patrols as they were there on the directions of the anglo-irish council.