Police investigate 'tap' on SDLP leader's home

An alleged illegal telephone tap on the home of John Hume, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, is being investigated by Northern Ireland police. The inquiry began after RUC detectives raided a house near Mr Hume's Londonderry home last Wednesday, seizing items of electronic equipment. Several people arrested in the raid have since been released without charge.

Mr Hume would not comment last night.

During the recent inter-party political talks on the future of Northern Ireland there were unexplained leaks of papers on the position of the SDLP and the Unionists.