British MPs have passed motions restoring Westminster allowances worth about £500,000 to Sinn Féin's five MPs, following a debate lasting several hours.
Last year the allowances were withdrawn following allegations that the IRA had been involved in the Northern Bank robbery and the murder of Robert McCartney.
But Prime Minister Tony Blair said the British government was acting in a fair and balanced way, in implementing the recommendations of the latest IMC report, which recommended reintroducing the allowances.
The DUP questioned the British government's justification for restoring the funding.
