The Orange Order in Co Armagh yesterday was dismissive of reports that an influential unionist, Mr David Montgomery, had met the Garvaghy Road residents' coalition spokesman, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, and that the meeting could be the forerunner for an initiative aimed at finding a resolution to the Drumcree impasse.
Downing Street said last night that Mr Montgomery was undertaking an unofficial role in attempts to resolve the standoff, Rachel Donnelly, in London, reports.