They are more used to bumping into each other in the House of Commons but today, Labour’s Diane Abbott and Tory minister Iain Duncan Smith had a surprise encounter in Cliftonville.

The political pair took time out from fighting the election battle to greet each other with a friendly smile and a kiss outside ST Jewellers in Northdown Road.

Ms Abbott was canvassing with North and South Thanet Labour candidates Frances Rehal and Will Scobie.

Meanwhile, Mr Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was lending his support to Conservative hopeful Craig Mackinlay.