Tories may ditch Ulster deal

The decades-old agreement between Labour and Tories over Northern Ireland policy appeared at an end today after the Commons' decision to award up to £430,000 a year to Sinn Fein.

The move to allow Gerry Adams and three fellow-MPs to claim expenses and office space was voted through after a bitter six-hour debate.

The four, who have refused to swear the Oath of Allegiance required of all MPs, will not take their seats, nor will they draw a backbencher's £51,822 salary.

However, they will be able to claim payments for two full-time assistants each at a cost of up to £70,000 a year, as well as up to £19,469 a year for the cost of living in London and up to £18,000 for "incidental expenses".

Although Mr Adams was given the right of access to Westminster as MP for Belfast West in 1983-1992, the Tories bitterly protested that the lavish expenses payments were new and unacceptable.

Leader of the Commons Robin Cook argued that the move was part of the continuing peace process.