DUP ‘not ready for policing deal’
Peter Robinson said the DUP was not ready to agree a deal on policing in Northern Ireland
Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson said his party was not ready to agree a deal which would save Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government.
There had been hope that an agreement on policing, justice and parades would be sealed during talks on Monday.
Earlier, Sinn Fein said it believed a deal was in reach but after at least four hours of internal discussions the DUP leader said his party needed more time.
But after leaving a meeting of his assembly group Mr Robinson said: “The group has identified, because the negotiations have not been completed, some issues that have to be resolved and items about which they need to be satisfied.”
It is the latest delay in talks which have been running for more than a week at Hillsborough Castle, County Down, aimed at resolving an impasse on the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
Mr Robinson indicated his party wanted to see the devolved political institutions continue.
He said he would meet representatives from the British and Irish Governments later, as well as members of the other political parties.
“The process is one that we have committed ourselves to as a political party,” he said.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen had been prepared to fly to Belfast to show their support should a deal be reached.
