McGuinness: Handshake with Queen 'one of most symbolic ever seen'

Martin McGuinness has said that he would have welcomed cameras into his private meeting with the Queen in Belfast tomorrow morning.

Speaking ahead of the event at the Lyric Theatre, he said his handshake with the British Queen would be seen throughout the world as "one of the most symbolic handshakes ever seen".

Queen Elizabeth will arrive in Enniskillen this morning to begin her two-day trip to the North.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the website EamonnMallie.com, Martin McGuinness said it was of no benefit to Sinn Féin to have the handshake take place in private.

He said the gesture would be hugely significant.

"For me, as an Irish republican, it's about extending the hand of peace and reconciliation," he said.