Peerage for former FF senator causes unionist row

A row has broken out between Unionists in the North over a peerage given to businessman Edward Haughey, who will be taking the Ulster Unionist Party whip in the British House of Lords.

The DUP claim the Ulster Unionists broke protocol by announcing the news before it was made public and accused them of insulting Queen Elizabeth.

Edward Haughey, the millionaire businessman behind a Newry-based pharmaceutical firm, was appointed to the Seanad by Fianna Fáil some years ago.

He therefore becomes the first ever Fianna Fáil senator to take the Ulster Unionist whip in the House of Lords.

The UUP leader, David Trimble, welcomed the news in an embargoed statement last night. But the DUP Deputy Leader, Peter Robinson, slammed what he claimed was Mr Trimble's slight to the Queen.

He asked for an explanation on "how the UUP could welcome a former nominee of the republican Fianna Fáil party".