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Loyalist held in Stormont alert Loyalist held in Stormont alert
(10 minutes later)
Convicted loyalist killer Michael Stone is being held after attempting to enter Stormont during a key debate to pave the way for restoration of devolution.Convicted loyalist killer Michael Stone is being held after attempting to enter Stormont during a key debate to pave the way for restoration of devolution.
Stone was arrested after walking into the Parliament Buildings with a bag which he left on the floor. Stone was arrested after walking into Parliament Buildings with a bag. Police said the building was evacuated following reports of a device.
Police said the building was evacuated following reports of a device. In 1988, Stone murdered three men at the funerals of three IRA members.
The meeting was being held to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate their candidates for the first and deputy first minister jobs. The Stormont meeting was being held to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate ministerial candidates.
BBC political correspondent Gareth Gordon said security sources were treating an object left at the building as a live device. He said it looked as if the building would remain evacuated for the rest of the day.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has ordered an urgent report from Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde into the breach of security.
During the debate, Sinn Fein said Martin McGuinness was its choice for deputy first minister.During the debate, Sinn Fein said Martin McGuinness was its choice for deputy first minister.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey challenged the Speaker, Eileen Bell, as to whether DUP leader Ian Paisley had actually indicated his party would nominate its choice for first minister.UUP leader Sir Reg Empey challenged the Speaker, Eileen Bell, as to whether DUP leader Ian Paisley had actually indicated his party would nominate its choice for first minister.
"It requires to be clarified as to whether or not we have witnessed a marriage or an engagement today," he said."It requires to be clarified as to whether or not we have witnessed a marriage or an engagement today," he said.
However, Mrs Bell said that it was now a matter for Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to decide.However, Mrs Bell said that it was now a matter for Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to decide.
In his speech, Mr Paisley told the Assembly: "The DUP holds to its long-standing position that there can only be an agreement involving Sinn Fein when there has been delivery by the republican movement, tested and proved over a credible period in terms of support for the PSNI, the courts, the rule of law, a complete end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures. In his speech, Mr Paisley said: "There can only be an agreement involving Sinn Fein when there has been delivery by the republican movement, tested and proved over a credible period in terms of support for the PSNI, the courts, the rule of law, a complete end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures.
The assembly had been meeting at Stormont"Clearly, as Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP is not required to commit to any aspect of power-sharing in advance of such certainty.The assembly had been meeting at Stormont"Clearly, as Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP is not required to commit to any aspect of power-sharing in advance of such certainty.
"The circumstances have not been reached where there can be a nomination or designation on this day.""The circumstances have not been reached where there can be a nomination or designation on this day."
If all goes to the British and Irish government's plan, assembly elections will be held in March, with devolution restored later that month.If all goes to the British and Irish government's plan, assembly elections will be held in March, with devolution restored later that month.
The DUP and Sinn Fein get to nominate first and deputy first ministers as they are the largest unionist and nationalist parties in the assembly.The DUP and Sinn Fein get to nominate first and deputy first ministers as they are the largest unionist and nationalist parties in the assembly.
Make-or-breakMake-or-break
For months the British and Irish governments billed 24 November as a make-or-break date.For months the British and Irish governments billed 24 November as a make-or-break date.
But since last month's St Andrews Agreement, the deadline has been watered down, with no talk of the politicians' wages and allowances being cut.But since last month's St Andrews Agreement, the deadline has been watered down, with no talk of the politicians' wages and allowances being cut.
Friday's meeting of the assembly was the first since legislation was passed to redesignate it as a transitional body which will be dissolved in January, to pave the way for elections in March.Friday's meeting of the assembly was the first since legislation was passed to redesignate it as a transitional body which will be dissolved in January, to pave the way for elections in March.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Hain warned that he was prepared to pull the plug on Stormont unless it seemed that progress could be made.Ahead of the meeting, Mr Hain warned that he was prepared to pull the plug on Stormont unless it seemed that progress could be made.
"I have got a dissolution order drafted - we're prepared to use it if it looks at any time in the coming period as if there's no prospect at all of devolving power on 26 March, after an election and the people have spoken."I have got a dissolution order drafted - we're prepared to use it if it looks at any time in the coming period as if there's no prospect at all of devolving power on 26 March, after an election and the people have spoken.
"And what's important about today - and all the parties signed up to the process today, to give an indication that on 26 March, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness would be first and deputy first minister respectively - they all signed up to that process and they now need to indicate whether they're going to fulfil that agreement.""And what's important about today - and all the parties signed up to the process today, to give an indication that on 26 March, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness would be first and deputy first minister respectively - they all signed up to that process and they now need to indicate whether they're going to fulfil that agreement."