Blunkett axes visit as IRA bomber protest is staged

British Works and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett today pulled out of a visit to a job centre in west Belfast as republicans staged a protest demanding the release from jail of IRA bomber Sean Kelly.

European Union employment ministers visited the job centre in Springvale where around 60 republicans gathered carrying posters and wearing T-shirts in support of Kelly, who was returned to prison last month for involvement in terrorist activities.