Major hails visit as ‘building for future’

QUEEN Elizabeth’s visit will “put a seal on the past and build for the future”, former British prime minister John Major has said.

Major, who first set in train the peace process in the North that led to the current power-sharing arrangements, said that the visit was the most significant royal trip for many decades.

He dismissed the suggestion of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams that the visit was “premature” and said he did not anticipate that the queen would deliver any apology for Britain’s past involvement in Ireland.