Arrest adds fuel to fire of dissidents

The spying conspiracy came closer to home for the former first minister, David Trimble, with the arrest yesterday of a junior civil servant who had worked in his office as a diary secretary.

The man had also worked for Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan until the suspension of the devolved government last month, when he was moved to the Northern Ireland Office where he worked for one of the Northern Secretary’s junior ministers.

While this latest incident was described by Mr Trimble as having huge consequences and major implications for the peace process, a Downing Street spokesman said the “allegations” were disturbing.

The arrest is being linked to the police investigation into IRA spying allegations, and will be another embarrassment for Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin, who have persistently denied any involvement in spying.

This latest episode, which at this stage is still being investigated, will provide added fuel for anti-Agreement dissidents within the Ulster Unionist Party and Ian Paisley’s DUP.