Divisions in the North’s power-sharing ministerial Executive deepened further today when one minister branded another a liar.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday gave the Provisional IRA’s ceasefire his strongest endorsement to date, saying that the organisation was “adhering 100%” to the commitments it had made.

GENERAL John de Chastelain was at the centre of a new row in the North last night after rejecting security force claims that the IRA is retaining weapons.

The Democratic Unionists Party are to hold talks with the Irish Government in an attempt to push the peace process forward.