![]() The ex-PM played down concerns that the US president's proud Irish heritage might prevent him being seen as an honest broker. Joe Biden's visit to Northern Ireland will help 'advance peace', Tony Blair has said. The DUP has been refusing to participate in power-sharing in protest at the Protocol - with Rishi Sunak's new Windsor Framework package so far not succeeding in bringing them back to Stormont. The situation has threatened to snowball against the backdrop of the row over post-Brexit rules. Sectarian tensions have been rising for some time, with the most high-profile incident being the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh last month. The news comes ahead of a series of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - with US President Joe Biden due to visit in the middle of next month. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris revealed the shift in a statement to MPs - although he stressed the decision is not taken by ministers. MI5 has lifted the risk assessment from 'severe' after police were targeted by groups intent on 'politically-motivated violence'. The Northern Ireland terrorism threat level has been raised to 'severe' - meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
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