MP in peacekeeping role

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has been in Northern Ireland taking on peacekeeping and charity tasks.

Mr Paterson spent yesterday conducting a business survey in Larne, meeting with traders and discussing the business problems and issues they encounter.

He also held a meeting with the Relatives for Justice group, to discuss issues faced by the families of victims of killings in Northern Ireland.

And Mr Paterson has also held meetings with Human Rights officials and charity groups in a bid to improve quality of life for residents of Northern Ireland and those affected by conflicts there.

Rose Paterson, from Mr Paterson's office, said the work he has been doing in Northern Ireland is part of an initiative to help improve the situation in the country.

"He did a walkabout in Larne talking to traders and that was organised by the Independent Retail Traders Association, and he was meeting traders in Larne and asking about business issues," she said.

"Last week he met with the head of the Human Rights Commission, Professor Monica McWilliams, as well as doing some work with the Bryson charity group."

"It is all the issues arising from the troubles, so it's issues over justice and compensation, and he has also spent quite a lot of time there with politicians and MPs and they have shown him around their constituencies.

"He has been trying to talk to as many people as he can to get a feel for the climate and the problems they are experiencing."