Orange sources say Adams meeting unlikely

Sources within the Orange Order say the organisation's governing body is unlikely to hold talks with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams in the short-term.

Mr Adams recently wrote to the head of the order seeking talks, but only received a letter of acknowledgement and some literature.

Sources now say any meeting is unlikely in the near future, but the move has not been completely ruled out.

Three months ago, the Orange Order leadership criticised a meeting between Mr Adams and local Orange Order members in Portadown to discuss the contentious parade at Drumcree.