Conservatives will 'back process'

Owen Paterson replaces David Liddington

The new Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland has said his party will continue to back the government on the political process.

Owen Paterson replaced David Liddington in the shadow cabinet role in a reshuffle by Tory leader David Cameron.

He said his party would continue to back the Good Friday Agreement, but that they were not handing the government "a blank cheque".

"It's my job to hold the government to account," he said.

With devolution returned to Northern Ireland, Mr Paterson agreed that there was a reduced role for the secretary of state and his opposition equivalent, but said they still had a part to play.

"I think there is still a role for the secretary of state and the shadow secretary to, I suppose, help things along - there has been tremendous progress," he said.

He said that he has spoken to NI Secretary Shaun Woodward and would meet him later on Wednesday.