Sinn Féin today accused its Democratic Unionist partners in government of corrupting negotiations to devolve policing powers to Stormont by introducing another pre-condition to the move – this time on the issue of Orange parades.

Former RUC chief constable Ronnie Flanagan was unaware that Special Branch officers kept files on solicitor Rosemary Nelson, the public inquiry into her murder heard today.

An inquiry into the death of a Catholic man battered to death by a loyalist mob in Northern Ireland was today delayed after police witnesses were given the go-ahead to seek anonymity.

Two men have been arrested by police investigating the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson, police said.

Two men have been arrested by police investigating the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson, police said tonight.