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Paisley in Adams boycott threat Paisley 'unlikely' to meet Adams
(about 1 hour later)
DUP leader Ian Paisley is threatening not to attend a meeting alongside Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in a row over the ministerial pledge of office. DUP leader Ian Paisley is unlikely to attend a meeting alongside Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in a row over the ministerial pledge of office.
Mr Paisley and SF's Martin McGuinness are due to become shadow first and deputy first ministers on 24 November.Mr Paisley and SF's Martin McGuinness are due to become shadow first and deputy first ministers on 24 November.
The DUP is insisting that a pledge of support for policing and for law and order is in place before then. But the DUP is insisting that a pledge of support for policing and for law and order is in place before then.
It was seen as significant that Mr Paisley and Mr Adams were to sit at the same round table for talks at Stormont.It was seen as significant that Mr Paisley and Mr Adams were to sit at the same round table for talks at Stormont.
The new Programme for Government committee will try to agree priorities for the executive scheduled to take power next March. Both the DUP and Sinn Fein were meant to be represented at a leadership level at the new Programme for Government Committee at Stormont on Tuesday.
Last week's St Andrews Agreement states that before the government legislates on the pledge of office, "it will consider the outcome of further Preparation for Government Committee discussions on policing and the rule of law". The committee is trying to agree priorities for the executive scheduled to take power next March.
However, Mr Paisley is accusing the government of backtracking on assurances over the pledge ministers must swear before taking office.
Last week's St Andrews Agreement stated that before the government legislated on the pledge of office, "it will consider the outcome of further Preparation for Government Committee discussions on policing and the rule of law".
If there's not delivery, I do not believe today's meeting will be attended by Dr Paisley Ian Paisley JrDUP assembly memberIf there's not delivery, I do not believe today's meeting will be attended by Dr Paisley Ian Paisley JrDUP assembly member
However, Mr Paisley's son, DUP assemblyman Ian Paisley Jr, warned the government "would have a lot to answer for" if the pledge issue was not resolved. Mr Paisley's son, DUP assemblyman Ian Paisley Jr, warned the government "would have a lot to answer for" if the pledge issue was not resolved.
"If there's not delivery, I do not believe today's meeting will be attended by Dr Paisley," he said."If there's not delivery, I do not believe today's meeting will be attended by Dr Paisley," he said.
"I don't think people want these arrangements to unravel, but if the government unravels them then the deal breaks because of them.""I don't think people want these arrangements to unravel, but if the government unravels them then the deal breaks because of them."
The DUP said, as things stand, its party leader was unlikely to attend the committee meeting.
On Monday, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said it would be the first of regular Programme for Government Committee meetings to agree priorities for the executive.On Monday, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said it would be the first of regular Programme for Government Committee meetings to agree priorities for the executive.
"Crucially, parties will for the first time together be represented at leadership level on that committee," Mr Hain said."Crucially, parties will for the first time together be represented at leadership level on that committee," Mr Hain said.
The Northern Ireland parties have been given until 10 November to respond to what the governments are calling the St Andrews Agreement.The Northern Ireland parties have been given until 10 November to respond to what the governments are calling the St Andrews Agreement.
It was published after intensive three-day talks between the parties at St Andrews in Scotland.It was published after intensive three-day talks between the parties at St Andrews in Scotland.
If all goes to plan, a first and deputy first minister will be nominated on 24 November and the devolved institutions will be up and running by 26 March.If all goes to plan, a first and deputy first minister will be nominated on 24 November and the devolved institutions will be up and running by 26 March.