The finance minister gave a frank interview to the BBC's political editor Mark Devenport.

BBC: Robinson and McGuinness meet amid DUP-Sinn Fein tension

Earlier, BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport said tests were being carried out on the MP.

BBC: DUP MP Nigel Dodds in hospital after taking ill

The dangers that journalists and cameramen faced covering these two weeks alone are vividly described by Mark Devenport in his memoir, Flash Frames.

BBC: Northern Ireland

The BBC's Washington Correspondent, Mark Devenport, says the Pentagon took some time to respond to the Serbian claims because they were awaiting the outcome of the search and rescue mission for the pilot.

BBC: News | EUROPE | Nato loses first plane

Devenport informed Alison that, since Dr Paisley's assertion, the Ulster Unionist MP, Harold McCusker had written to the Secretary of State that the DUP leader's allegation of 'wining and dining' might have been based on a rumour that soldiers who were supposed to be defending the area 'had, in fact, been drinking in Hughes' Hotel, Middletown (South Armagh).

BBC: Stronge double murder detailed in government files

In a memo on the file, dated 12 February, 1981, C Devenport, an NIO official, noted that during Question Time at Westminster, Rev Ian Paisley had asked the Secretary of State, Humphrey Atkins to confirm or deny that the Army patrol detailed to observe Tynan Abbey on the fatal night was 'being wined and dined in a well-known republican house in the area'.

BBC: Stronge double murder detailed in government files