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DUP and UUP hold secret meetings Justice devolution talks continue
(about 2 hours later)
Senior UUP and DUP figures held private talks at the weekend, it has emerged. Talks about the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland administration are continuing at Stormont Castle.
Attended by DUP leader Peter Robinson, the talks were hosted in England by Conservatives who said they aimed to "promote greater political stability". DUP and Sinn Fein negotiating teams have been meeting for most of Wednesday in an attempt to resolve the impasse.
BBC political reporter Stephen Walker said parading was one of the big issues discussed, and was on a position paper the parties had been studying.
"A source told me they're going through each issue one by one," he said.
On Wednesday, SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said the personal difficulties surrounding DUP and SF leaders Peter Robinson and Gerry Adams must not get in the way of finding a solution.
He said "whatever the fog may be" it was now essential that the devolution of justice was "up and running".
Unlike talks on Tuesday, the other Northern Ireland political parties have not been involved.
Earlier, it emerged that senior UUP and DUP figures held private talks at the weekend.
Attended by Mr Robinson, the talks were hosted in England by Conservatives who said they aimed to "promote greater political stability".
Party sources denied they were about an electoral pact or voting arrangements in the event of a hung parliament.Party sources denied they were about an electoral pact or voting arrangements in the event of a hung parliament.
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said they were "not secret talks but political discussions" which would be "welcomed by pro-union people".UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said they were "not secret talks but political discussions" which would be "welcomed by pro-union people".
"We do not propose to go into any detail, except to say that we considered the short-term, medium-term and long-term interests of all the people of Northern Ireland," he said."We do not propose to go into any detail, except to say that we considered the short-term, medium-term and long-term interests of all the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
The parties have been at loggerheads over policing powers
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionists' only MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, has said she wants clarification over a special meeting of the party executive.Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionists' only MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, has said she wants clarification over a special meeting of the party executive.
The meeting at the weekend will hear an update from party leader Sir Reg Empey on recent political negotiations and possibly take decisions about joint UUP-Conservative candidates for the upcoming general election.The meeting at the weekend will hear an update from party leader Sir Reg Empey on recent political negotiations and possibly take decisions about joint UUP-Conservative candidates for the upcoming general election.
However, Lady Hermon, who opposes the UUP's electoral pact with the Conservatives, says she may attend as she wants to hear the party's plans for her North Down constituency - the only one for which the party has so far failed to call a candidate selection hearing.However, Lady Hermon, who opposes the UUP's electoral pact with the Conservatives, says she may attend as she wants to hear the party's plans for her North Down constituency - the only one for which the party has so far failed to call a candidate selection hearing.
Speaking about the Conservative talks with the two unionist parties, SDLP leader Mark Durkan warned the Tories against "distracting" the unionists from the current talks on the devolution of policing and justice powers. SDLP leader Mark Durkan warned the Tories against "distracting" the unionists from the current talks on the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Private talks "I think, at a time when everybody should be concentrating on the big issue that is in front of us, it's unhelpful for the opposition party in Westminster, who are presenting themselves as the government-in-waiting, to distract parties in this way," he said.
Mr Durkan said: "I think, at a time when everybody should be concentrating on the big issue that is in front of us, it's unhelpful for the opposition party in Westminster, who are presenting themselves as the government-in-waiting, to distract parties in this way." The Conservative Party denied suggestions that it discussed the consequences of a hung parliament with the two main unionist parties and the discussions were focused on the current difficulties at Stormont.
The Conservative Party has denied suggestions that it discussed the consequences of a hung parliament with the two main unionist parties in the private talks at the weekend.
A senior Conservative spokesman said the discussions were focused on the current difficulties at Stormont.
The spokesman said: "So far as the Westminster election is concerned, the only deal is the current deal between the Conservatives and the Ulster Unionists.The spokesman said: "So far as the Westminster election is concerned, the only deal is the current deal between the Conservatives and the Ulster Unionists.
"We will be putting up 18 Conservative and Unionist candidates at the next election," he said."We will be putting up 18 Conservative and Unionist candidates at the next election," he said.
There has been intense speculation since the end of last week about a deal on the devolution of the policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland executive.
The parties have been holding talks at Stormont Castle
The DUP downplayed rumours of a setback in talks with Sinn Fein over the devolution of policing and justice.
There had been a suggestion that Sinn Fein had issued the DUP with an ultimatum.
However, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said a deal was possible.
He was speaking as acting First Minister Arlene Foster met with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance about the recent talks.
Mr Poots said all parties were engaged in trying to resolve the impasse.
"I don't think there is any particular wobble in the process," he said.
"Where we are at this point is that we are narrowing down issues, and those issues of concern will have to be resolved.
"Ultimately we are working our way towards that."