Peter Hain has visited the headquarters of the Orange Order in Belfast and met senior unionist politicians.
The Northern Ireland secretary said he hoped the visit heralded a new beginning in relations between the government and the Order.
He met DUP leader Ian Paisley and Tom Elliott - who is an assembly member and grand master of the Order in Fermanagh.
Mr Hain denied he had broken the convention of ministers remaining impartial during election campaigns.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~26~RS~)