Unionists clash at Tory conference

The DUP and the UUP have clashed at the Conservative Party conference in Britain over strategy towards the IRA.

UUP leader David Trimble accused the DUP of missing an opportunity to put the IRA out of business at the recent Leeds Castle negotiations in Kent.

He said the DUP had focused on minor matters relating to the workings of the Assembly and had thereby let republicans off the hook.

However, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson hit back by saying he wasn't in the business of doing half a deal and by criticising Mr Trimble's own record of negotiating with republicans.