Tony Blair has held talks with Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley in an attempt to break the deadlock in Northern Ireland.

Although Downing Street said the mood of the meeting was very constructive, Paisley told reporters that there was "no way" his party would ever sit in government with Sinn Fein.

The prime minister will today hold talks with Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern, where he will be pressed to bring forward the publication of a judicial report into police collusion in murders.