Hi °C | Lo °C Ian Paisley Jnr was plunged into fresh controversy last night over a so-called 'shopping list' of proposals put to Tony Blair - which included projects linked to millionaire developer Seymour Sweeney.
A newly-released document shows that the projects, which include publicly owned land near Ballymena in Co Antrim - and private sector land at the Giant's Causeway - were raised with the then Prime Minister during the St Andrews talks back in 2006.
The document - obtained from the NIO by ex-DUP MEP Jim Allister - is certain to add fuel to the ongoing row about the junior minister's links to DUP member Mr Sweeney.
Last night however Mr Paisley insisted that this latest revelation had not caused him any embarrassment.
Speculation that the Giant's Causeway was raised during the 2006 St Andrews talks was first raised by this newspaper in October last year.
And the DUP was quick to assert that any lobbying was not done in its name.
In a statement, the party said: "The Belfast Telegraph has speculated that the issue of the Giant's Causeway visitor centre was raised at St Andrews as part of a 'shopping list' that DUP negotiators wanted the NIO to address.
"This issue formed no part of the DUP's negotiations. It was not raised by or with the party, nor was it included on any 'shopping list' considered and approved by the party.
"If it was raised on the margins it was done so in an individual capacity and without the party's knowledge or consent."
