Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams appears to have attempted to sweeten his often acrimonious relations with First Minister Peter Robinson.

But while Mr Adams claims he baked his political foe a birthday cake, the DUP leader did not get to eat any of it.

As Mr Robinson celebrated his 65th birthday privately with his family yesterday, the republican leader claimed on his eccentric Twitter account that his teddy bear Ted had baked the DUP leader a cake. Ted is a regular character who appears on the TD's account.

He even tweeted a picture of a flan topped with apricots, cherries and a glaze.

However, around a quarter of the cake was missing and beside it was two coasters implying two people had been enjoying it with a cup of tea.

Mr Adams gave no indication that he had offered Mr Robinson a piece and a later picture of the Sinn Fein leader eating the cake alone was posted.

Belfast Telegraph