Adams in secret talks with Portadown Orangemen

Sinn Féin has confirmed that Gerry Adams held secret talks with the Orange Order in Portadown last week.

However, the party says he was not involved in any negotiations and was simply taking part in a process to try and resolve the ongoing conflict over contentious parades.

Mr Adams says the meeting was at the instigation of the Orange Order and following repeated requests for talks.

Local nationalists say they were not told of the meeting.

The Parades Commission is expected to rule today on whether the annual Drumcree parade should be allowed to pass down the Garvaghy Road.

The parade has been banned from the road every year since 1998 due to the Orange Order's refusal to speak with the nationalist residents.