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PM trip aims to end N Ireland row Talks on NI policing row continue
(40 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has arrived in Belfast for talks with Northern Ireland's political leaders in a bid to resolve a deepening row at Stormont. Talks between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland's political leaders aimed at resolving a deepening row are to resume later at Stormont.
Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are at loggerheads over when policing and justice powers should be devolved from Westminster. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are at loggerheads over when policing powers should be devolved from London.
While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious.While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP is more cautious.
But there are fears the increasingly bitter row could bring down the power-sharing executive. Speaking after a morning of separate talks, DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson said that they were "continuing to make progress".
Relations between DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have deteriorated in recent weeks. "I think there will be many people who will be glad that we didn't settle things in New York (two weeks ago) as others might have wished us to," he said.
"The terms obviously improve with further discussions - we're relaxed, we're going to stay focussed on the issue, we are not going to rush and make a dash for the the post - we are going to make sure that things are right."
Relations between the First Minister and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have deteriorated in recent weeks.
Mr McGuinness said that he was trying to build a good working relationship with Mr Robinson.
ANALYSIS Gareth Gordon, BBC News, Stormont When power was devolved back to Northern Ireland more than two years ago one crucial element was retained at Westminster - policing and justice.ANALYSIS Gareth Gordon, BBC News, Stormont When power was devolved back to Northern Ireland more than two years ago one crucial element was retained at Westminster - policing and justice.
The deal which put old enemies the DUP and Sinn Fein in government together was ground-breaking but most accepted the time was not right to expect them to administer this sensitive area. That has now changed.The deal which put old enemies the DUP and Sinn Fein in government together was ground-breaking but most accepted the time was not right to expect them to administer this sensitive area. That has now changed.
The British and Irish Governments, as well as Sinn Fein, believe its time for unionists to agree to "the final piece in the devolution jigsaw."The British and Irish Governments, as well as Sinn Fein, believe its time for unionists to agree to "the final piece in the devolution jigsaw."
The DUP says there is not yet sufficient public confidence and that they will only move when there is - there's also the vexed issue of funding.The DUP says there is not yet sufficient public confidence and that they will only move when there is - there's also the vexed issue of funding.
But Sinn Fein appears to have lost patience, claiming the DUP is using money as an excuse not to do it. With some believing the row is now threatening the stability of the power sharing institutions, the prime minister is hoping he can break the stalemateBut Sinn Fein appears to have lost patience, claiming the DUP is using money as an excuse not to do it. With some believing the row is now threatening the stability of the power sharing institutions, the prime minister is hoping he can break the stalemate
Mr McGuinness has suggested that Mr Robinson might be having "cold feet" about a deal. "Peter (Robinson) needs to face down the 12 apostles, the 12 angry men within his party who are determined to, along with Jim Allister (Anti Agreement Unionist), to destroy the institutions that are overwhelmingly supported by the people," he said.
Mr Robinson retorted that Mr McGuinness was making a "one-sided nasty attack". Local policing and justice powers were important issues, he said.
"We can press on to face down the criminals in our society who take advantage of the fact that there is not a local minister."
ConfidenceConfidence
Sinn Fein says the transfer should have happened months ago, but the DUP says the Treasury must pay for it. The cost is thought to be in the region of £600 million. Sinn Fein said the transfer should have happened months ago, but the DUP says the Treasury must pay for it. The cost is thought to be in the region of £600 million.
Mr Robinson has also said the unionist community must have confidence in the new arrangements before he will give the go ahead. He said the transfer could not happen before Christmas.Mr Robinson has also said the unionist community must have confidence in the new arrangements before he will give the go ahead. He said the transfer could not happen before Christmas.
The Conservative leader David Cameron has said if he becomes prime minister it would be his inclination to support whatever budget is agreed for devolving policing.The Conservative leader David Cameron has said if he becomes prime minister it would be his inclination to support whatever budget is agreed for devolving policing.
He said the Conservative are committed to devolution - and the uncertainty over the budget could be helped if the government talked to him about it.He said the Conservative are committed to devolution - and the uncertainty over the budget could be helped if the government talked to him about it.
Last week he told the BBC: "We want it to happen and generally speaking commitments that are made we will try and agree to, but I can't give a blank cheque."Last week he told the BBC: "We want it to happen and generally speaking commitments that are made we will try and agree to, but I can't give a blank cheque."
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Monday's talks are part of a series of meetings and no-one is expecting any kind of historic agreement today. BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Monday's talks were part of a series of meetings and no-one is expecting any kind of historic agreement on Monday.
"What they say they have been doing is slowly narrowing down the issues in relation to finance," he added."What they say they have been doing is slowly narrowing down the issues in relation to finance," he added.
"There are a few complicating factors, one is that some of the financial estimates are a bit fluid.""There are a few complicating factors, one is that some of the financial estimates are a bit fluid."
Our correspondent said there could be difficulties "further down the road" if Sinn Fein was to conclude that the unionists were going to delay indefinitely on the matter.Our correspondent said there could be difficulties "further down the road" if Sinn Fein was to conclude that the unionists were going to delay indefinitely on the matter.
"Lurking in the background is the thought - what if Sinn Fein were to try to pull the plug on the Executive or trigger an early election?"Lurking in the background is the thought - what if Sinn Fein were to try to pull the plug on the Executive or trigger an early election?
"Nobody is certain at this stage whether they might do that or not.""Nobody is certain at this stage whether they might do that or not."