Hi °C | Lo °C 
Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman reveals he heard senior Tories calling activists 'swivel-eyed loons'
Another journalist has revealed that he has heard senior Tories describe activists as "swivel-eyed loons".
Politicians must decide on terror amnesty, insists DPP
Politicians need to make up their minds and decide if they want to prosecute historic Troubles cases or offer an amnesty in order to embed the peace process, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has said.
Ann Travers fury as SDLP blocks terror aide ban
The sister of an IRA murder victim has hit out at SDLP plans to help axe a new law preventing the appointment of Stormont special advisers with serious criminal convictions.
Ban on political advisers with jail record set to fail
A senior Sinn Fein official whose job was under threat from a Bill stopping special advisers with criminal convictions holding Stormont posts looks set to be rescued by the SDLP.
Northern Ireland's past looms large again in five-hour debate
Assembly Members may have been debating a law for the future but – as always – the past loomed large.
Deal heads off Tory revolt over same-sex marriage
Plans to allow same-sex marriage in the UK have survived a Tory backlash after a fraught debate in the House of Commons.
David Cameron offers review of civil partnerships as gay marriage Bill clears major hurdle
Moves to legalise gay marriage in Britain cleared a crucial parliamentary hurdle as it emerged that civil partnerships could be abolished as the price for getting David Cameron’s plans on to the statute book.
Peter Robinson saddles up for organ donation campaign
Kitted out in his cycling gear, First Minister Peter Robinson looked quite the wheelman as he hit the pedals to support GAA star Joe Brolly’s drive to raise organ donation awareness.
Outrage as MP salaries set to rise by up to £20k
MPs are in line for a dramatic pay rise of up to £20,000 in a move that could spark public fury.
David Cameron hints at going it alone without the Liberal Democrats
David Cameron has hinted that he could attempt to govern without the Liberal Democrats if disputes within the coalition made it impossible to continue.
Thugs in attack on MLA John Dallat’s office
The constituency office of SDLP East Londonderry MLA John Dallat has been attacked.
Angry Scottish mob tells Ukip leader Nigel Farage to ‘go back to England’
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, had to be given a police escort through an angry crowd as he tried to take his party's anti-EU message to Scotland.
Finally revealed: how much First Ministers spent selling Northern Ireland to the world
Foreign trips by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness over the last year have cost the public purse more than £350,000, raising questions over whether they were good value for money.
Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson's trips abroad cost Northern Ireland taxpayer £350,000
Overseas junkets for Government ministers cost Northern Ireland taxpayers more than £350,000 in the past year, official figures revealed today.
Ed Miliband ranked 20th in world’s most influential Jews list
Ed Miliband may be struggling to convince voters at home that he is the man to lead the country after the next election, but that has not stopped a leading Israeli newspaper from giving the Labour leader a top 20 billing in its annual list of the world’s most influential Jews.
Echoes of Big Ian as the First Minister Peter Robinson sticks the boot in
Peter Robinson appealed to Assembly colleagues to "take a step back" from party politicking – just before sticking his boot into the SDLP.
David Ford launches intermediary scheme to aid the course of justice
Justice Minister David Ford has launched new pilot schemes to help vulnerable victims, witnesses and defendants to communicate more effectively when giving evidence.
David Cameron to publish Bill on EU referendum
David Cameron will today try to quell a growing rebellion by his Conservative MPs over Europe by publishing a draft Bill to guarantee that an in/out referendum on Europe will be held by 2017.
Matt Baggott's Stormont plea: 'Enough rhetoric, deal with poverty'
Support for Northern Ireland’s paramilitaries will persist until politicians tackle endemic poverty and youth unemployment, the country’s most senior policeman has warned, ahead of a huge security operation to protect next month’s meeting of G8 world leaders.
Orange Order may shun PSNI chief Baggott's talks in Cardiff
The Orange Order is expected to boycott Matt Baggott’s talks initiative in Cardiff.
Facebook too old, say teens
Twitter booming as social media destination
In pictures: UK Soap Awards
In Pictures: North West 200
In Pictures: Balmoral Show
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
Crews rescue boy wedged in chimney
A teenager had to be rescued by the fire service after falling down a chimney.
Rubber duck becomes a dog's dinner
A mobile phone, a rubber duck and a £20 note have all ended up inside dogs' stomachs, according to a new survey.
Protections for women criticised
Ireland's reputation for working to stop violence against women around the world is not replicated at home, Amnesty International has claimed.
Latest Sport
Wade scoops unique award double new
Christian Wade was "shocked and humbled" to learn he had gone one better than Jonny Wilkinson by scooping a unique double at the Rugby Players' Association awards.
Former Manchester United defender Brian Greenhoff dies, aged 60 new
Former Manchester United and England defender Brian Greenhoff has died, aged 60.
Tindall ready to use experience
Mike Tindall is relishing the chance to test his experience against Gloucester's youth when he lines up for the Barbarians against England on Sunday.
Latest Showbiz
Yakoob: Girls tougher than boys
Apprentice reject Uzma Yakoob has said it was far more stressful being on the women's team than working with the men.
Stones' Micks reunited in the park
The Rolling Stones' return to Hyde Park will see them team up with former guitarist Mick Taylor, but there will be no reappearance of the white dress Mick Jagger wore at the original 1969 gig because he has lost it.
Graham: I'll miss playing stripper new
The Hangover III star Heather Graham says she will miss playing sexy stripper Jade because the excitement makes up for her "boring" real life.
