The British Government was challenged today to clarify what human considerations were holding up the release of reports on four controversial killings in Northern Ireland.

Loyalist and republican prisoners could rebel against a tough new separation regime at a top security Northern Ireland jail, it was claimed today.

The separation of loyalists and republicans at a Northern Ireland prison has left staff morale at an all-time low, it was claimed tonight.

The North's security minister, Jane Kennedy, has rejected a call by the DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson, for an inquiry into the murder of loyalist Billy Wright.

A British government-backed investigation into six controversial killings in Northern Ireland is almost a year ahead of schedule, it was revealed today.