A community leader living under constant threat of death spoke of his relief yesterday after it was confirmed the Northern Ireland Office is to foot the bill for security measures at his home.
Mr Gerard Rice, spokesman for Lower Ormeau Concerned Community in Belfast, was speaking outside the High Court after a judge was told the NIO had reversed its previous decision not to admit him to the Key Persons Protection Scheme.
Last Wednesday Mr Rice applied for leave to seek a judicial review and the case was adjourned after the court was told officials were reconsidering the matter.