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DUP and UUP hold secret meetings | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
It has been revealed Ulster Unionist and senior DUP politicians held secret talks in England over the weekend. | |
The talks, which included Peter Robinson, were hosted by Conservatives who said the purpose was to promote greater political stability. | |
Earlier, 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. | |
On Tuesday, acting First Minister Arlene Foster met with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance about the recent talks. | On Tuesday, acting First Minister Arlene Foster met with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance about the recent talks. |
'Wobble' | |
Mr Poots said all parties were engaged in trying to resolve the impasse. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "Ultimately we are working our way towards that." |
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 that the meeting with Mrs Foster 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. | Mr McCrea said his party would not be "window dressing" in any negotiation on policing and justice. |
Annoyed | |
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. |
The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate. | The talks are taking place on the Stormont estate. |
The Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, also met with party leaders on Tuesday. | The Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, also met with party leaders on Tuesday. |
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 later to meet Mr Woodward and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. |
Tuesday's discussions followed a full day of talks at Stormont on Monday, with meetings scheduled around Assembly business. | Tuesday's discussions followed a full day of talks at Stormont on Monday, with meetings scheduled around Assembly business. |
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. |
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, Mrs Foster said the devolution would be "good for all of the people of Northern Ireland". |
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". |