Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is expected to make an arduous road journey to attend this week’s make-or-break negotiations on the peace process at Leeds Castle in Britain.
Mr Paisley’s doctors have advised him not to travel by air for medical reasons, fuelling speculation about the 78-year-old’s health.
However, DUP sources have insisted that the advice was given some months ago. They also said Mr Paisley was determined to attend this week’s talks and would travel by ferry and car to Kent to ensure that he was present.