Sinn Fein 'to get Commons offices'

Sinn Fein MPs will be given offices in the House of Commons despite their refusal to swear allegiance to the Queen, it was reported today.

The party's four MPs are banned from using Westminster facilities, or voting in the Commons, because they will not take the oath.

Tony Blair has indicated that he is prepared to change the rules, and the BBC said today that the Government will put a proposal to Parliament before Christmas.

The move will infuriate Tories and Ulster Unionists. It will raise the prospect that some Labour MPs might seek to avoid taking the oath of allegiance.

If the Government rewrites the rule book, it could provide another step forward in the Northern Irish peace process.

However, Michael Martin, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: "The services of the departments of the House ... will not be available to members who have not taken the oath or affirmed before the date of the Queen's Speech."