The Electronic Telegraph 25 April 1995 FRONT PAGE
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Michael Ancram: Aristocratic equanimity

MICHAEL Ancram, Northern Ireland minister for political development and the first minister to hold talks with Sinn Fein for more than 20 years, has impressed Tories with his handling of the portfolio since he came to Stormont two years ago, writes Richard Savill.

A minister in the Scottish Office before he lost his Edinburgh South seat in 1987, Mr Ancram, a Roman Catholic from a prominent Scottish aristocratic family, has shown sure-footedness and equanimity during the most crucial phase of the peace process.

Mr Ancram, born in 1946 and Tory MP for Devizes since 1992, joined exploratory talks last month with politicians linked to loyalist paramilitary groups.

He is seen as a possible successor to Sir Patrick Mayhew as Northern Ireland Secretary in any Cabinet reshuffle.

Sinn Fein deal ends the long deadlock

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