McLaughlin not surprised by unionist contacts

Sinn Fein Chairperson Mitchell McLaughlin said he was not surprised by reports that rival unionist leaders David Trimble and Ian Paisley are in contact over the proposed police reforms.

He said the contacts confirmed what he had suspected that "Mr Trimble is an anti-agreement leader of an anti-agreement party".

Sources in both the UUP and the DUP are confirming that further contact is expected in the next week but have also been at pains to insist that the contact to date has been low level.

Nevertheless the fact that the contact is taking place at all is fuelling speculation of a unified unionist front against the proposals on policing.

In a swipe at John Hume’s party Sinn Fein says today’s news also shows up

the magnitude of the miscalculation by the SDLP in jumping too soon on its

decision to join the new Police Board.