Robinson defends justice position

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First Minister Peter Robinson has said the devolution of policing and justice powers is not about equality, but what is best for Northern Ireland's people.

He made his comments after Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness described the delay in devolving the powers as a "full-blown crisis".

The DUP and Sinn Fein have been arguing for months over the transfer of justice powers from London to Belfast.

Mr Robinson said he was not required to fulfil Sinn Fein's political agenda.

"Simply because Sinn Fein has a demand and can't get other parties to agree with their demand isn't an example of inequality, it means that they haven't been able to pursue their political agenda or at least that aspect of it.

"There's no requirement on me to meet the demands of Sinn Fein and to fulfil their political agenda," he told the BBC's Politics Show.

'Unforgivable'

SDLP policing spokesman Alex Attwood said it would be "unforgivable" if devolution was to fall over the issue.

"The SDLP believes the five party leaders should meet next week and get devolution of justice sorted," he said.

"The current DUP/Sinn Fein exchanges are all about the blame game.

"The current exchanges throw a spotlight on how political power in the hands of the DUP and Sinn Fein comes back in the faces of the community."

Meanwhile, the Alliance Party has said it will not put forward any names for consideration as minister of justice without agreement on other key issues first.

The First and deputy first ministers had asked assembly members to put forward potential candidates for the post by next Friday.

But in a leaked letter, Alliance said there must first be agreement on a policy programme for the justice ministry.

It also wants real progress on a community relations strategy.