United Kingdom: Paisley and Blair form 'special bond' around Christian faith
A special bond has been forged between UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Rev Ian Paisley, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) by discussing their common interest in Christianity, reports the Guardian newspaper. Spearheading a government charm offensive to win round the Presbyterian firebrand who is pivotal to the Northern Ireland peace process, the two men have reportedly been swapping religious textbooks over the past year.
Mr Blair's aim has been to win the confidence of Mr Paisley, a strident critic of the government's concessions to Sinn Féin, who has become the dominant force in Northern Irish unionism in recent years.
Mr Paisley confirmed to the Guardian hat his discussions in recent years with the prime minister had gone well beyond politics. Asked whether he shared an interest in religion with the prime minister, the DUP leader said: "We shared books that I thought...