The RUC Chief Constable has been invited to address the Ulster Unionist Party's annual conference at the weekend, The Irish Times has learned. It is understood Mr Flanagan is considering whether or not to accept and an announcement is expected today. A Northern Ireland Office minister is due to address a fringe meeting at the conference.
Meanwhile, a unionist rally against the talks process will be held in Portadown, Co Armagh, tonight. The Democratic Unionist Party deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, and the UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney, are due to address the rally. Mr Austin Ardill of the UUP is also expected to speak.
Mr Robinson said: "This meeting is a continuation of the united unionist programme to educate the unionist community in the province about this bogus process. The fact that it will be in the constituency of the UUP leader, and on the eve of their party conference, will make it of added interest." He added the meeting would make it clear to Mr David Trimble and "those toytown politicians in his party that the majority of unionists in Northern Ireland believe this pan-nationalist talks process to be of real danger to the Union".