Hopes rise as Paisley meets Catholic archbishop

DUP leader Ian Paisley is today meeting the Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady as optimism grows that crunch talks on power sharing could produce a breakthrough.

The highly symbolic visit to Stormont by the Archbishop of Armagh adds to speculation the DUP is preparing to cut a deal on devolution as long as Sinn Féin gives ground on policing.

Given Dr Paisley’s harsh words against the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in the past — he once dubbed the Pope “the scarlet whore of Rome” — the meeting with Archbishop Brady is being seen as a goodwill gesture ahead of intensive talks in Scotland, later in the week.