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.
‘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 [...]
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 [...]
Northern Ireland: Sinn Féin seems to want to salvage power-sharing | Henry McDonald
Party’s reticence could be connected to the problems, both political and personal, it is facingAt the time of writing, five of the main Northern Ireland assembly parties remain locked in talks at Hillsborough Castle.Even after the departures of Gordon Brown to London and Brian Cowen to Dublin, the parties are still engaged in discussions aimed [...]
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 [...]
Brown stays for third day of Northern Ireland talks
Wrangling continues between Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin over transfer of policing and justice powersGordon Brown will miss prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons today as he remains in Belfast trying to prevent the collapse of power sharing.The British prime minister will join the Irish taoiseach, Brian Cowen, at Hillsborough Castle for a [...]
Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen attempt to salvage Northern Ireland power-sharing
Leaders present political parties with paper promising devolution of policing and justice powers by 4 MayGordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen were locked in negotiations in Belfast tonight as they desperately tried to hold Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government together.The two leaders presented Northern Ireland’s political parties with a position paper promising devolution of [...]
Robinson unsure over NI deal
Democratic Unionist leader admits he ‘can’t say’ agreement will be reached in crisis talksThe Democratic Unionist leader, Peter Robinson, today admitted he was uncertain whether a deal to save power-sharing in Northern Ireland could be reached.Gordon Brown today extended his stay in Northern Ireland, where he is hosting crisis talks after flying to Belfast with [...]