Politics Meets Rock, On Belfast-Bound Flight

Heavyweight politics met rock royalty on board a Belfast-bound flight yesterday.

The Gallagher brothers - jetting into the Province to play a sell out Oasis gig (pictured) in the city – found themselves sitting next to Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, and according to sources, they expressed a genuine interest in the political progress here.

Sinn Feín's Martin McGuinness was returning from London, on an afternoon flight, when he struck up conversation with the Oasis front men.

Eyewitnesses on the plane said the Minister and the music superstars appeared to be nattering intently.

On arrival at George Best Belfast City Airport, both parties shook hands and went their separate ways – the band departing through a VIP exit.

A spokesman for the Deputy First Minister confirmed he had met the rockers – and had discussed the peace process.

"Martin has met the Gallagher Brothers before at Heathrow Airport and, yes, he was talking to them again yesterday," an official told the Belfast Telegraph.

"They seemed genuinely interested in what is going on here and seemed to be pretty knowledgeable about the situation as well."

According to the spokesman, Mr McGuinness is an Oasis fan, and mooted the Wonderwall anthem as his favourite tune.

But unfortunately, due to work commitments, the politician could not attend any of the band's Belfast concerts, the spokesman added.

(PR)