NI policing talks set to resume
Talks aimed at saving the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland resume with Sinn Fein and the DUP expressing optimism.
Britain braced for more snow and cold weather
Fresh snow is forecast to hit northern Scotland, Wales and central England as temperatures drop below freezing overnightFresh snowfall is forecast to hit parts of Britain today, with up to 5cm predicted in northern Scotland and in northern and western Wales, bringing warnings of icy roads.Lighter snow showers are expected in Merseyside, Shropshire and Derbyshire.Temperatures [...]
‘Gap narrows’ between DUP and Sinn Féin on sixth day of talks
Negotiations to save power-sharing agreement go on late into Saturday night and will continue this weekThe sixth day of talks between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party ended last night with the parties agreeing to hold further discussions early this week.So far no one has pulled out of the negotiations, which are aimed at [...]
‘Progress’ being made at NI talks
Talks aimed at ending the impasse over devolution in Northern Ireland have made “considerable progress”, the government says
Former RUC officer charged with murdering woman, 80, in 1989
Kenneth McConnell in court over killing of Anabella Symington in south BelfastAn ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary officer has been charged with murdering an 80-year-old woman in Northern Ireland more than two decades ago.Former police inspector Kenneth McConnell is charged with killing Anabella Symington at her south Belfast home on Halloween night in 1989.McConnell, from Prospect Downs [...]
Brown may return to Northern Ireland
British and Irish prime ministers will fly to Belfast if agreement on devolution of policing and justice is reached, reports suggestGordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen are on standby to return to Northern Ireland if a deal emerges today that will safeguard power-sharing in the province.The two prime ministers will only fly in [...]
The stakes of Stormont | Denis Murray
The great fear in Northern Ireland is that republican dissident paramilitaries fill the political vacuumWell, golly. Northern Ireland’s politicians can’t agree. Forget Groundhog Day – we’ve already had our deja vu. And when they can’t agree, in fly the British and Irish prime ministers to try to sort things out. And after hours and hours [...]
Brown outlines final Ulster deadline
Prime minister returns from Belfast after Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin fail to agree over devolution of policing powersGordon Brown flew back from Belfast today after failing to broker an agreement between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists over the devolution of policing powers, following 48 hours of talks.The prime minister and his Irish counterpart, [...]
Gordon Brown gives parties 48 hours to salvage Northern Ireland power-sharing
Prime minister says British and Irish governments will publish plans for moving political process forward if deadlock not brokenGordon Brown today gave the parties locked in talks at the Stormont Assembly 48 hours to save power-sharing in Northern Ireland.As he left the province after three days of negotiations, the prime minister warned that the British [...]
Labour’s emissions fail MOT
As Harman takes the wheel at PMQs, the government looks less roadworthy by the dayLike an abandoned car rusting in a backyard, bits keep falling off this government. Every day it looks more decrepit and less roadworthy. Today Gordon Brown was trying, and so far failing, to rescue power sharing in Northern Ireland. Possibly the [...]