Blair to meet DUP and SF to discuss fall-out from Belfast raid

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to meet DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin chairman Mitchel McLaughlin today to discuss the fall-out from last month's £26.5m (€37.8m) bank heist in Belfast.

Mr Paisley has already called for Sinn Féin to be excluded from political life in the North following the PSNI's decision to publicly blame the Provisional IRA for the December 20 raid.

Northern Secretary Paul Murphy is due to outline the British government's response to the IRA's alleged involvement during a speech in the House of Commons today.

There is speculation that Sinn Féin's Westminster allowances may be cut as punishment for the raid.

Meanwhile, in a House of Commons motion, hardline Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside has called on the PSNI to arrest Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness for questioning about the robbery.