Blair to meet Adams at Downing Street

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will today hold his first meeting with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams since the IRA’s declaration that it is ending its armed campaign.

The meeting will take place after Mr Blair has also met the Democratic Unionist leader, Ian Paisley, whose party has been angered by moves to scale down the military presence in Northern Ireland on the back of last Thursday’s IRA announcement.