Robinson and McGuinness meet Bush

US President George W Bush today met with the North’s political leaders in Washington.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness held discussions with the outgoing president in the White House.

Mr Bush congratulated both men on the role they had played in establishing power-sharing government at Stormont.

The meeting came as part of a week-long trip by Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness to the US to meet business leaders and politicians.

Mr Robinson said: “We were delighted to meet with the President and wish him well for the future and also thank him for his support over the eight years of his term in the White House.“

The deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness said the meeting proved that the US remained ready to support the peace process.

“Our meeting today confirms once again that despite many competing demands we enjoy access at the highest level in the US,” said the Sinn Féin representative.

“We look forward to a similarly close relationship with the incoming administration.”