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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.
He was detained after entering Parliament Buildings with a gun, a knife and what police said was a viable device. The building was evacuated.He was detained after entering Parliament Buildings with a gun, a knife and what police said was a viable device. The building was evacuated.
In 1988, Stone murdered three men at the funerals of three IRA members.In 1988, Stone murdered three men at the funerals of three IRA members.
The Stormont meeting was being held to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate ministerial candidates.The Stormont meeting was being held to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate ministerial candidates.
The alert happened about 20 minutes into the proceedings. It is understood Stone threw a bag into the hallway and Northern Ireland politicians were quickly ushered out of the building.The alert happened about 20 minutes into the proceedings. It is understood Stone threw a bag into the hallway and Northern Ireland politicians were quickly ushered out of the building.
WHO IS MICHAEL STONE? Stone murdered three men at the 1988 funerals of three IRA members killed by the SASHe was released early in June 2000, under the terms of the Good Friday AgreementWHO IS MICHAEL STONE? Stone murdered three men at the 1988 funerals of three IRA members killed by the SASHe was released early in June 2000, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has ordered an urgent report from Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde into the breach of security.Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has ordered an urgent report from Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde into the breach of security.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said that despite the breach, the St Andrew's Agreement remained the only way forward.Prime Minister Tony Blair said that despite the breach, the St Andrew's Agreement remained the only way forward.
Speaking from Downing Street, Mr Blair said: "No move forward in Northern Ireland is easy, we've learned that over 10 years.Speaking from Downing Street, Mr Blair said: "No move forward in Northern Ireland is easy, we've learned that over 10 years.
"It's not because the people, or indeed, the leaders in Northern Ireland want it to be so, but because each step towards a different and better future is taken alongside the memory of a wretched and divisive past.""It's not because the people, or indeed, the leaders in Northern Ireland want it to be so, but because each step towards a different and better future is taken alongside the memory of a wretched and divisive past."
BBC political correspondent Gareth Gordon said it looked as if the building would remain evacuated for the rest of the day.BBC political correspondent Gareth Gordon said it looked as if the building would remain evacuated for the rest of the day.
It requires to be clarified as to whether or not we have witnessed a marriage or an engagement today Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader Political reaction in full Friday had been billed by the two governments as a "critical day", with politicians gathered to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate their candidates for the first and deputy first minister jobs.It requires to be clarified as to whether or not we have witnessed a marriage or an engagement today Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader Political reaction in full Friday had been billed by the two governments as a "critical day", with politicians gathered to hear if the DUP and Sinn Fein would indicate their candidates for the first and deputy first minister jobs.
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.
In his speech, Mr Paisley said the circumstances had not been reached where there could be a nomination or designation by his party.In his speech, Mr Paisley said the circumstances had not been reached where there could be a nomination or designation by his party.
"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," he 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 police), the courts, the rule of law, a complete end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures," he said.
"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.""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."
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.
Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams both addressed the chamberHowever, Mrs Bell said that it was now a matter for Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to decide.Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams both addressed the chamberHowever, Mrs Bell said that it was now a matter for Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to decide.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "There is as much hollow farce as there is historic significance in what we have witnessed this morning".SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "There is as much hollow farce as there is historic significance in what we have witnessed this morning".
'Make-or-break''Make-or-break'
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY If this agreement is disrupted because of Michael Stone, he's got his wish through his actions, hasn't he? William Veruss Send us your comments 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.HAVE YOUR SAY If this agreement is disrupted because of Michael Stone, he's got his wish through his actions, hasn't he? William Veruss Send us your comments 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.
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.