Paisley wins meeting with Blair

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet the Democratic Unionists after Downing Street talks next week involving the other Northern Ireland parties, it was confirmed today.

The British Government and DUP said a meeting is being arranged with the Rev Ian Paisley’s party following last night’s announcement from the EU summit in Gothenburg that talks involving the British and Irish Governments, Ulster Unionists, Sinn Fein and the SDLP will take place in London on Monday.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesman confirmed the British Government would be contacting the DUP later today about a meeting with the Prime Minister.

However, the meeting was not likely to take place on Monday.

DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said on Tuesday he had demanded a meeting with Mr Blair in a telephone call from Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid, telling him the British Government could not afford to ignore his party’s strengthened mandate in the Local Government and General Elections.

The Democratic Unionists increased its Westminster team from two MPs to five and also made spectacular gains in local government, increasing its number of councillors by 40.

The party’s East Derry MP Gregory Campbell also confirmed a meeting was being planned.

"An approach has been made to the party which is no real surprise because the Government cannot ignore our vote," the Stormont Regional Development Minister said.

"We will watch events with interest. We will be particularly interested to see if the Government treats the fourth largest party in Northern Ireland, the SDLP, the way they treated us when we were the fourth party."

Bertie Ahern and his British counterpart agreed last night to hold the Downing Street summit in a bid to break the deadlock in the peace process.

The parties and the two Governments have been stalled on the issues of IRA decommissioning, nationalist support for police reforms, the scaling down of Army bases in the province and unionist sanctions against Sinn Fein ministers.

Resolution of the issues was put on hold after talks in Hillsborough, Co Down in March until the elections were over.

Mr Blair and Mr Ahern met for private talks lasting over an hour after dinner in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘‘The discussion focused almost entirely on the peace process.

"Clearly there continued to be difficulties but there remains a commitment from both Prime Ministers to move the process forward.

"They agreed to meet next Monday in Downing Street after which there will be further discussions next week."

It is understood Monday’s discussions will involve the Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

The meetings will take place amid disquiet in the ranks of David Trimble’s Ulster Unionist Party following the losses in the Westminster and Local Government Elections.

Several UUP sources believe Mr Trimble could face a leadership challenge when the party’s 860-member ruling council meets on June 23.