Tony Blair wanted to explore option of Queen Elizabeth opening Stormont Assembly

The Stormont Assembly was formally established in 1998, with the first election taking place in June and the first meeting in July

Then Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble, prime minister Tony Blair, Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam and Seamus Mallon, deputy first minister. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA

Tony Blair wanted to explore the option of the UK's Queen Elizabeth officially opening Northern Ireland’s new Assembly in 1998, newly released state papers reveal.

The Labour prime minister was however concerned that it would be a “delicate issue” for nationalist opinion and asked one of his ministers to raise it privately with then SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon.