Late finish
I'm in the office late tonight, contributing to a Spotlight programme about Ian Paisley Jr.'s departure. They have a relatively candid interview with Sammy Wilson about how the DUP's MPs have viewed the affair.
Earlier today Sammy kept a date with the Greens. After hearing that he had been given an award for anti-environmentalism at the Green conference over the weekend, Sammy rang the Greens and insisted on picking up the trophy ( a recycled globe) personally. The ceremonial handover took place in the Stormont Great Hall this morning.
Flicking through my e-mails tonight I see that Gerry Adams has paid tribute to a veteran politician stepping down after leading his people for 50 years. I had to read the message twice just to make sure the Sinn Fein President was really talking about Fidel Castro.
Castro and Adams are of course two of the most famous bearded politicians in the world. But my colleague Gareth Gordon found himself wondering who the strangely familiar man was sitting close to him at Belfast City Airport tonight. Ah yes, he twigged, it was a clean shaven Alex Maskey. The Sinn Fein MLA - minus his usual beard - was heading to Westminster, whilst Gareth was off to Edinburgh, hot on the heels of Messrs Paisley Snr and Jnr, on what will be their last joint official trip. Together with Martin McGuinness the Paisleys are in Scotland for talks with Alex Salmond.
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Spotlight last night was very interesting. It sounds to me the whole driving force behind the DUP is Peter Robinson. What would happen if he did become First Minister? Who would take Finance in the Executive? Whoever it is they will always find control freak Peter looking over his/her shoulder. It would be like the whole Northern Rock fiasco. Alistair Darling makes speeches but the real thinking is done by Gordon Brown.
Alex Maskey going to Westminster is breaking news. I didn’t think he ever travelled to London. He must be going for something for himself because surely it is not for someone else.