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Tories must approve policing deal | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The First Minister wants David Cameron to approve any financial package offered by the Prime Minister for the devolution of policing and justice. | |
Peter Robinson said there is no point agreeing with one government when another might soon take its place. | |
The first and deputy first ministers will meet Gordon Brown in London on Wednesday to discuss the issue. | |
Martin McGuinness said policing and justice powers needed to be devolved before Christmas. | |
However, Mr Robinson argued: "There is a possibility of an alternative government and it would be irresponsible of us to simply tie up a deal, as it were, with the present occupant of Downing Street to find that in a year's time everything was to change. | |
"So I think we would want to have long-term certainty about our position was going to be." | |
'Budget shortfall' | |
Money clearly remains at the centre of the debate surrounding the devolution of policing and justice. | Money clearly remains at the centre of the debate surrounding the devolution of policing and justice. |
In the latest round of talks, the first and deputy first ministers are expected to ask Gordon Brown if he is prepared to fund a budget shortfall estimated to be around £600m. | In the latest round of talks, the first and deputy first ministers are expected to ask Gordon Brown if he is prepared to fund a budget shortfall estimated to be around £600m. |
Officials have been working over the summer on the figures but sources in Belfast said the treasury has not narrowed the gap sufficiently. | Officials have been working over the summer on the figures but sources in Belfast said the treasury has not narrowed the gap sufficiently. |
Mr McGuinness said if devolution did not take place it would be a "tragedy". | Mr McGuinness said if devolution did not take place it would be a "tragedy". |