Spin is killing the process

So warns University of Ulster academic, Dr Paul Dixon:

"At crucial times throughout the peace process, politicians have manipulated public opinion, trying to lead it towards an accommodation while at the same time maintaining their political popularity.

"The fact they are saying one thing in public but doing another in private has become more apparent, particularly since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Little attempt has been made to persuade important sections of the population to support the peace process - instead they have been manipulated and deceived."