Up-beat Paisley offers hope for power-sharing

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

The DUP leader’s markedly less confrontational stance came ahead of crunch Downing Street talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair today.

Mr Paisley said the DUP’s sweeping success in the Assembly elections allowed him room to manoeuvre, despite personal friends strongly disagreeing with him.