DUP denies reports of softer stance towards SF

The Democratic Unionist Party has denied media reports claiming it would speak to Sinn Féin within months if the British government made sufficient concessions to unionism.

Reports at the weekend said the party was prepared to negotiate with Sinn Féin within a matter of months if a list of demands it presented to the British last week were met.

However, DUP MP Nigel Dodds said yesterday that the story was a "fantasy".

Mr Dodds' party has previously insisted that it will not talk to Sinn Féin about a resumption of power-sharing government even if the IRA disarms all its weapons.

The DUP demands presented to the British Government last week include special funding for loyalist areas, reform of the Parades Commission and the retention of the British army's Royal Irish Regiment.