SF prepared to nominate Paisley

SINN FÉIN yesterday said it would nominate DUP leader Ian Paisley for the position of First Minister at the first opportunity after the Northern Ireland Assembly reconvenes next week.

Party leader Gerry Adams yesterday said the party would also nominate its chief negotiator Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.

In a long statement setting out its approach to the Assembly, Mr Adams said Sinn Féin would refuse to discuss any other business other than the election of an Executive during the initial six-week period.