Politics

DUP and Sinn Féin are guarded about revealing who made up their talks teams

DUP chief executive Timothy Johnston was part of the DUP talks team. Picture by Mal McCann
DUP chief executive Timothy Johnston was part of the DUP talks team. Picture by Mal McCann DUP chief executive Timothy Johnston was part of the DUP talks team. Picture by Mal McCann

BOTH the DUP and Sinn Féin are guarded when it comes to revealing who made up their talks teams.

The Irish News understands that Arlene Foster led her party in the negotiations, with support from DUP chief executive and former special adviser Timothy Johnston, alongside former Stormont ministers Simon Hamilton and Edwin Poots.

Sinn Féin would only say that its team "was led by" new party president Mary Lou McDonald and her deputy Michelle O'Neill.

Before he stepped down, Gerry Adams formed part of the team, while former Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy has also been a regular at the cross-table discussions, as has North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly.