HOPES of a power-sharing deal in the North rose dramatically last night as Ian Paisley appeared unusually upbeat over a devolution breakthrough.

Britain's deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has confessed to having an affair with one of his secretaries, it was reported today.

Mo Mowlam, Gerry Adams, a Brazilian nun and a millionaire builder have been nominated by the public for the 2005 Tipperary Peace Prize, it emerged today.

A children’s park built in the Stormont Estate at the suggestion of Mo Mowlam is to be named in her memory, it was revealed today.

I WANTED to write about education this week, and it was Mo Mowlam’s death that reminded me. I asked her once, if she could pick her favourite job in the cabinet, what would it be.

I WANTED to write about education this week, and it was Mo Mowlam’s death that reminded me. I asked her once, if she could pick her favourite job in the cabinet, what would it be.

Victoria Ward, New York

Dan McGinn

Paul O’Brien

There was a great deal of heartfelt sadness at the announcement of the death yesterday of the former Secretary for Northern Ireland, Marjorie “Mo” Mowlam.

Here is a selection of quotes from Mo Mowlam

Paul O’Brien

Loved by some, disparaged by others: few can dispute Mo Mowlam had a massive impact on the North, writes Dan McGinn

Louise Hogan and Kieran McDaid

Nationalist and unionist politicians have been paying tribute to former Northern Secretary Mo Mowlam, who died this morning from injuries sustained in a fall earlier this month.

Mo Mowlam was a person and a politician whom the Irish people held in great esteem, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.

Tony Blair paid tribute to Mo Mowlam today as “one of the most remarkable and colourful personalities” ever to enter British politics.

When Mo Mowlam became Northern Ireland Secretary, she may well have had her hero Winston Churchill in mind – and his declaration that history would be kind to him because he intended to write it.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam died today in a hospice, a family spokesman said.

The husband of critically ill ex-Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam today remained at her bedside after it was revealed her condition had deteriorated.

Friends of Mo Mowlam have revealed that the former Northern Secretary has suffered another deterioration in her health at a hospice in Canterbury.

FORMER Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam was yesterday fighting for her life in hospital.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam is today fighting for her life in hospital.

FORMER Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam is critically ill, hospital officials said last night.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam is critically ill, hospital officials said tonight.

Church and political leaders in Northern Ireland had a vested interest in preventing children of different religions being educated together, former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam said today.

SUNDAY TIMES Northern Ireland editor Liam Clarke and his wife Kathryn Johnston were released on bail yesterday from police custody.

Sinn Fein has protested to Downing Street over transcripts of alleged bugged telephone conversations involving Martin McGuinness and senior figures in British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Government, the Mid-Ulster MP revealed today.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today refused to back down from his commitment to use force if necessary to disarm Saddam Hussein, in the face of massive pressure for peace.

WAR-TIME British prime minister Winston Churchill has been named the greatest Briton of all time in a nationwide poll that attracted well over one million votes.

Winston Churchill is the winner of the BBC's Great Britons poll.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam claims she was hounded out of the office after opinion polls showed she was the most popular member of Tony Blair’s Cabinet, it was revealed today.

Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam today claimed politicians lack an overall vision and are failing to engage with the young.

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Tony Blair would like to meet, Mo Mowlam has revealed in Tehran.