Hain asked to leave Stormont offices

Updated 22.10 Sun Apr 01 2007
Keywords: Britain, Northern Ireland, power-sharing, Reverend Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness, Peter Hain, Stormont

The Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have asked Secretary of State Peter Hain to move out of his offices early.

The Democratic Unionist Party leader and Sinn Fein chief have drafted and signed a joint letter seeking to take over his rooms in Belfast and that is seen as a sign they are keen to get on with power-sharing.

"I believe it will stick" - Peter Hain

The offices at Stormont Castle had been used by the heads of Northern Ireland's last Executive before it collapsed in October amid allegations of IRA espionage.

Mr Hain stressed he would be delighted to let them have his office space to aid preparations for the new regime.

He said: "The two most polarised parties have done what they have never been willing to do before, to share power on May 8. I believe it will stick.

"Confirmation has come on a letter I have just received, the first one ever jointly signed by Ian Paisley and his old foe, Martin McGuinness, as First and Deputy First Ministers designate."

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