Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to meet the Queen in an historic first for the Northern Ireland peace process.

The party has confirmed that he will shake hands with the monarch at the Stormont executive.

Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, said the decision had been taken after consulting with grass roots support and allowing the party's ruling council, the Ard Comhairle, to decide at a four hour meeting in Dublin.

Mr Adams said: "This will understandably cause difficulties for some republicans and nationalists, especially for those folks who suffered at the hands of British forces."

Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said any potential handshake would not be considered part of Jubilee celebrations, adding, "I'm very conscious that this is a big ask of republicans".

Mr Adams defended the decision, saying: "We don't have to do it. We're doing it because it's the right thing to do, despite the fact that it will cause difficulties for our own folk.

"But it's good for Ireland. It's good for this process we're trying to develop. It's the right time and the right reason."