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DUP and UUP hold secret meetings DUP and UUP hold secret meetings
(about 10 hours later)
It has been revealed Ulster Unionist and senior DUP politicians held secret talks in England over the weekend.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. 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. Party sources denied they were about an electoral pact or voting arrangements in the event of a hung parliament.
Meanwhile, the UUP's Lady Sylvia Hermon has said she wants clarification over a special meeting of the party executive.
Lady Sylvia is the Ulster Unionists' only MP.
The meeting at the weekend will hear an update from Sir Reg Empey on recent political negotiations and possibly take decisions about candidates for the upcoming general election.
However, Lady Hermon, who opposes the UUP's electoral pact with the Tories, says she may attend as she wants to hear what party plans are for her North Down constituency - the only one for which the party has so far failed to call a candidate selection hearing.
'Deal possible'
On Tuesday, 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.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.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. He was speaking as acting First Minister Arlene Foster met with the UUP, SDLP and Alliance about the recent talks.
'Wobble''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. Secretary of State Shaun Woodward also met with party leaders on Tuesday.
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.
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 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.
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.
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".