Martin McGuinness hails Queen as ‘staunch supporter’ of peace

Northern Ireland deputy first minister and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness has heaped praise on the Queen for taking a leadership role in the peace process.

Mr McGuinness — who snubbed the 2011 ground- breaking royal visit to Ireland — will be a special guest at a state banquet at Windsor Castle during the first official visit to the UK of an Irish president this week.

Confirming his attendance, which would have been unthinkable a decade ago, Mr McGuinness said the Queen was a “staunch supporter” of the peace process.