The planned meeting between the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and the president of Sinn Fein, Mr Gerry Adams, would be an "absolute insult" to the people of Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, said last night.
After a "very forthright" and "lively" meeting with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, which lasted for about an hour, Dr Paisley accused the British government of running down security in Northern Ireland to "please the IRA".
Regarding what he described as the "sham" of the talks process, Dr Paisley said he that had told Mr Blair that the meeting with Mr Adams was "totally unacceptable" to the people of Northern Ireland, who were "outraged by it".
Downing Street last night described the meeting as "friendly" with a "frank discussion on both sides". Sources said that Mr Blair had stressed his commitment to the peace process and a desire to reduce the level of security in Northern Ireland if this was "justifiable". Further meetings between both sides are planned.
Asked if Mr Blair had made any comment about his meeting with Mr Adams, Dr Paisley said: "He never made any comment about the Adams meeting whatsoever. We did our part and that was it. I think he will go ahead and have the Adams meeting. We also made it clear to him that running down security to please the IRA at the time when we have the maimings taking place by the IRA/Sinn Fein . . . kneecapping people in the streets. We have, of course, the continuity council of the IRA going on with bombings."
Despite a "full discussion" with Mr Blair, Dr Paisley said that the British government was following an agenda which would "only bring ruin", and that was the Framework Document. "He [Mr Blair] did not seem to understand the meaning of the Framework Document . . . He is set on the proposals in the Framework Document and set on getting a proposal that will push us on the way of the Framework Document, which is on the road to a united Ireland."
The DUP delegation included Mr Peter Robinson MP and the Rev William McCrea, a former DUP MP.