UUP heavies, not worries over world peace, kept Blair sleepless

Poor Tony Blair didn't get any sleep at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night

Poor Tony Blair didn't get any sleep at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night. Crucial all-night negotiations on the political future of Northern Ireland, coupled with the plight of terrified refugees fleeing Kosovo, militated against him snatching any substantial amount of shut-eye.

But the primary obstacle between Mr Blair and his bed was not the weight of world peace on his shoulders but rather the Ulster Unionist Party's burly security spokesman, Ken Maginnis, who had "crashed" in his quarters.

"Tony kinda offered his bed, but not really", said an insider. "Ken just went in anyway and crashed."

Mr Blair's spokesman offered up his Hillsborough hammock to the even burlier UUP deputy leader, John Taylor, who said he needed his beauty sleep.

READ MORE

Despite the sleep deprivation, Mr Blair still managed to look crisp, clean and polished, as always, when he appeared on the back steps of Hillsborough Castle to introduce the Hillsborough Declaration.

Some of the assembled reporters who had followed the negotiations into the early morning didn't fare as well as the immaculate Mr Blair, but soldiered on in true journalistic fashion and donned their Ray-Bans; if they were going to be shattered, they would do it in style.

The politicians from the various parties mixed with the assembled media and there was definite choreography as they waited for the leaders to come down the steps to the microphones. First, arms were folded in a defensive fashion, then arms were put in pockets. Eventually, as the leaders appeared, hands were crossed passively at the front of the torso.

Gerry Adams sat in a relaxed fashion on the steps of the porch, stage right. David Trimble, stage left, unfastened his jacket button, fastened it again, fixed his hair firmly behind his ears, checked his mobile phone and then the button on his jacket one more time.

Mr Blair admitted that the week's negotiations had not been a "bundle of joy". Like expectant parents who had rushed to the hospital only to find that they had set out too early, the two leaders must have left Hills borough somewhat disappointed, yet positive that the final push will come.