Former MP's tweet almost collapsed Ulster rugby rape trial

A former Northern Ireland MP’s tweet almost collapsed the trial of two Irish rugby stars who were acquitted of rape, it has emerged.A tweeted message from Naomi Long, the leader of the cross community Alliance party, led to demands from the defence team of the players and two friends that the trial be stopped.The controversy only came to light after the judge in the trial, Justice Patricia Smyth, lifted most of the reporting restrictions on the case after a hearing on Wednesday.