McGuinness: Queen's visit to Ireland 'made impact upon me'

Martin McGuinness has said he has not ruled out meeting the Queen.

The Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster MP attended an event to promote the North at St James' Palace in London during the week.

The Stormont Deputy First Minister said the visit by the Queen to Ireland in May had made an impact on him.

"I've made it clear that the visit of Queen Elizabeth of Britain to the South was something that we looked at with considerable interest," he said.

"And I think the fact that she was prepared to recognise the importance of the Irish language; that she was prepared to stand in a very dignified way to honour those patriots who struggled in 1916 to bring about a free and independent 32-county Irish Republic, that made an impact upon me.

"So that's an issue that I will ponder and I wouldn't rule anything out."

When the Queen made her first visit to the Republic of Ireland in May, Sinn Féin did not take part in any of the main ceremonies.

However, last September Mr McGuinness said he would be prepared to meet all heads of State "without exception", if he was elected president of Ireland.

He was interviewed for the BBC's 'Inside Politics' programme.