Hain 'encouraged' by DUP response to IMC report
Northern Secretary Peter Hain has said he is encouraged by the DUP's response to the latest report from the body set up to monitor paramilitary ceasefires in the North.
The Independent Monitoring Commission said earlier this week that the IRA was living up to its promises and had not engaged in any paramilitary activity in recent months.
However, the DUP is still refusing to share power with Sinn Féin until it is satisfied that the IRA has ceased all criminal activity.
Despite this, Mr Hain has said the assessment represents good progress and DUP leader Ian Paisley has acknowledged that.
"He welcomed that and I think that's good," the Northern Secretary said last night. "I think there's a consensus emerging on this.
"I think it's wrong to suggest that the DUP are out to play a destructive role here. They want restoration along with the other parties if the conditions can be created."
