Mitchell to begin talks with SDLP

Former Northern Ireland talks chairman Senator George Mitchell is to meet politicians in the North for high-level talks on the peace process.

Senator Mitchell, who chaired the talks which led to the 1998 Belfast Agreement, will meet SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan in Belfast tomorrow.

His visit coincides with the start of a week of intense lobbying within the Ulster Unionist Party in the run up to an imminent showdown between leader David Trimble and dissidents within the party.