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UUP warning over justice talks DUP says deal is still 'possible'
(19 minutes later)
The UUP has warned it will not be "window dressing" in any negotiation on policing and justice. The DUP has downplayed rumours of a setback in negotiations over the devolution of policing and justice with Sinn Fein.
The warning came as the DUP leader and the acting first minister Arlene Foster had been jointly meeting the Ulster Unionists, SDLP and Alliance parties. There had been a suggestion that Sinn Fein had issued the DUP with an ultimatum, but Environment Minister Edwin Poots said a deal "was possible".
On Tuesday, 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.
He said a deal was possible if the political will was there.
There has been intense speculation since the end of last week about a deal on the devolution of the powers.There has been intense speculation since the end of last week about a deal on the devolution of the powers.
The UUP's Basil McCrea said there was an initial suspicion the meeting was a public relations exercise. The UUP's Basil McCrea said there was an initial suspicion that the meeting with Mrs Foster was a public relations exercise.
Mr McCrea said his party would not be "window dressing" in any negotiation on policing and justice.
But he said the party would await the outcome of the meeting before judging it.But he said the party would await the outcome of the meeting before judging it.
Mr McCrea also said his party leader, Sir Reg Empey, was annoyed to have only learned about the meeting from the media.Mr McCrea also said his party leader, Sir Reg Empey, was annoyed to have only learned about the meeting from the media.
Later on Tuesday, the DUP Minister Edwin Poots said all the political parties were engaged in trying to resolve the impasse over the devolution of policing and justice. Consultation
The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate.The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate.
Mr Poots played down speculation that there had been a setback during discussions today. The Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, also met with party leaders on Tuesday.
He said a deal was possible if the political will was there. The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheal Martin, is to travel to Northern Ireland later to meet Mr Woodward and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness.
The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheal Martin, is to travel to Northern Ireland on Tuesday to meet the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward. Tuesday's discussions followed a full day of talks at Stormont on Monday, with meetings scheduled around Assembly business.
The Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, was also involved in discussions.
On Monday, Arlene Foster assured the other parties they would be consulted on what was happening.On Monday, Arlene Foster assured the other parties they would be consulted on what was happening.
Politicians met at Stormont throughout Monday, scheduling talks around Assembly business. Speaking in the Assembly in Monday, Mrs Foster said the devolution would be "good for all of the people of Northern Ireland".
Speaking in the Assembly in Monday, acting First Minister Arlene Foster said the devolution would be "good for all of the people of Northern Ireland".
Also on Monday, DUP MP Gregory Campbell said progress was being made, but warned that it should not be taken for granted that the parties were on the cusp of a deal.
Sinn Fein wants to see immediate devolution of policing powers but the DUP has said it must be conditional on "community confidence".Sinn Fein wants to see immediate devolution of policing powers but the DUP has said it must be conditional on "community confidence".