Ireland’s food watchdog has denied an accusation by a UK House of Commons committee that its tests for horsemeat were part of a conspiracy to tackle issues in the beef industry while avoiding criminal prosecutions.

Former DUP leader Ian Paisley has been elevated to the House of Lords in Westminster.

UK Chancellor Alistair Darling will today set out plans to provide British government backing for a private-sector buyout of the stricken Northern Rock bank.

Protesters demanding the return of fishing policy to national governments took the campaign to Brussels today at the start of talks on more restrictions for the beleaguered UK fleet.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble today threatened to pull out of talks on the review of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.

Tony Blair was today embarking on a series of meetings just a day after hospital treatment for a heart problem.