Bush bans SF from Paddy’s Day visit

US President George W Bush will exclude all Northern political parties, including Sinn Féin, from the traditional St Patrick’s Day reception in the White House because of the Northern Bank robbery.

The Bush administration has decided to adopt this radical change of policy because it was concerned that if it excluded Sinn Féin alone, the party could take advantage of being "victimised".

There are also strong signals from the White House that it has lowered the priority of the peace process in the light of the failure to reach agreement.