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UUP exiles in contact with Tories as the momentum of change shifts down a gear
Two MLAs who dramatically quit the UUP last week in a row over unionist unity have opened contacts with the Conservative Party.
Unity candidate good news for Sinn Fein, says Basil McCrea
Basil McCrea has warned that a united unionist candidate in the upcoming Mid Ulster by-election will simply drive up Sinn Fein's vote and leave a bitter, sectarian legacy.
Anger over question time truants
MLAs who did not go to ministers' question time are to be hauled before the Speaker of the House to apologise.
Francie Molloy: Make your claims in public
Sinn Fein MLA Francie Molloy has urged anyone making allegations about him to do so in public.
Three-man band's tune may sound too much like Alliance
For Basil McCrea and John McCallister, resigning from the UUP in protest at the drift to unionist unity was the easy part.
John McCallister quits UUP as pact agreed
Former Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader John McCallister has resigned from the party following the agreement with the DUP to field a joint candidate for the Mid-Ulster seat vacated by Martin McGuinness.
George Osborne plans £400 RBS shares 'gift' for all UK taxpayers
The Chancellor George Osborne has ordered Treasury officials to draw up plans for a Government “give-away” of Royal Bank of Scotland shares to boost the economy – and the Coalition's electoral prospects – by 2015.
Labour wants mansion tax to fund return to 10p rate
The battle lines on taxation for the 2015 general election were drawn yesterday when Labour made a surprise promise to bring back a 10p starting rate of income tax.
Basil McCrea and John McCallister quit UUP over unionist by-election pact
The Ulster Unionist Party's decision to appoint of a joint unionist candidate to fight the Mid-Ulster by-election has resulted in the resignation of former deputy leader John McCallister and outspoken MLA Basil McCrea.
Unionists agree on poll candidate
The son of a murdered police officer has been chosen to contest the Mid-Ulster by-election on a joint unionist ticket, it has been confirmed.
Alliance: Give up on failed talks and let someone else draw up shared future plan
Efforts by Stormont parties to come up with a shared future strategy have failed and the process should be handed over to an independent group of outsiders, the Alliance Party has said.
Fresh bid to move forward on Troubles legacy
Stormont leaders are to meet within days to attempt to hammer out a way of dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.
Alliance endorses Bill that will see it lose one of its ministries
The Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed a proposed new law that could deprive his own party of a second Stormont ministry.
DUP urged: don't field a runner in Mid Ulster
A leading Ulster Unionist has called on the DUP to stand aside in the upcoming Mid Ulster by-election, which will be held on March 7.
UUP's formal warning to Basil McCrea will not end flag row saga
The UUP’s disciplinary committee has issued a formal warning to Basil McCrea for what it described as two acts of “indiscipline” in radio interviews.
Two senior Orangemen set to defy leaders on gay marriage
Two senior Orangemen will defy the Order's official advice and vote in the House of Lords in favour of gay marriage.
Alex Attwood branded a 'disaster' after John Lewis ditches store plan
An SDLP councillor has refused to support the decision by his party colleague, Environment Minister Alex Attwood, that led to retail giant John Lewis scrapping plans to open in Northern Ireland.
Home Office hits out as Stormont splits over crime unit
The Home Office has blasted Stormont for failing to support the operation of an FBI-style agency in Northern Ireland to tackle serious organised crime.
Gay marriage vote landslide: only two of our MPs say yes
Members of Parliament last night overwhelmingly endorsed historic legislation that will give gay couples the equal right to marry – although it was backed by only two of Northern Ireland's MPs.
Why the speaker’s not happy when the media hear it first
Executive ministers have been taken to task by the Speaker after being accused of treating the Assembly with contempt.
Madeleine McCann: New suspects identified by UK police
North West 200: Live pictures plus race schedule
In Pictures: Balmoral Show
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
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