Justice money “may be withdrawn”
The leader of the Alliance Party has warned of risks if the transfer of policing and justice powers is delayed.
David Ford said a £1bn package to pay for devolution could be lost if agreement is not reached before the next general election.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Inside Politics programme, Mr Ford said he believed “it may be the best deal we are going to get”.
Mr Ford is believed to be likely to take the new post of justice minister.
“We do have to look back two and a half years at the complete failure of Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams to get any package out of the treasury for devolution in general,” Mr Ford said.
“I don’t think there is a specific time scale but I think we can take it that if it has not come into play before the general election next May, then it probably isn’t available any longer.
“Certainly the secretary of state seems to believe that it would not be available to him if direct rule is to continue.”
