Northern Ireland leaders to meet Blair

The joint leaders of Northern Ireland’s power sharing government were today meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair for talks in Downing Street.

Mr Blair was holding the first in a series of joint meetings with Stormont First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan on issues affecting the devolved government.

A spokesman for the multiparty executive confirmed the Ulster Unionist leader and the nationalist SDLP leader were expecting a ‘‘range of issues to be discussed’’ with the Prime Minister.

‘‘It will be the first joint meeting planned with the British Prime Minister since their recent election to office,’’ he confirmed.

‘‘A range of issues relating to the devolved administration and institutions will be discussed at the meeting, which it is anticipated will be the first in a series of meetings between Mr Trimble, Mr Durkan and the Prime Minister.’’

It also emerged last night that Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and party colleague Martin McGuinness have also arranged a meeting with Mr Blair today.

A Sinn Fein spokesman said they were expected to raise the issue of security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries at the meeting.