Newton Emerson: Unionists quietly delighted about British air defence deal

Eurofighter Typhoons after returning to base at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. In these demoralising times for unionism British defence of Irish airspace is a source of quiet pride, or smug satisfaction, which should be kept even quieter It is fitting that Ian Paisley helped to bring the Anglo-Irish air defence agreement to light with a question in the House of Commons last November. By crash or design the North Antrim MP adds a tone of mischief to the issue that probably reflects unionist attitudes overall. The agreement is an opportunity for some teasing, perhaps, but not grounds for serious rudeness…