05 October 2009

Brown In Belfast For Policing Talks

Gordon Brown is in Northern Ireland to hold further talks on the devolution of policing and justice powers.

The Prime Minister (pictured) travelled to the province this morning amid simmering tensions between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

The First and Deputy First Minister are at loggerheads over the time frame for transferring the institutions.

Sinn Féin's Mr McGuinness has continued to insist the new department should be set-up as soon as possible, while DUP Leader Mr Robinson has voiced caution over budgetary requirements.

Relations between the Stormont Executive's two most powerful ministers is said to have worsened over recent weeks.

The Deputy First Minister accused Mr Robinson of stalling and showing signs of "cold feet" over the devolution process.

Mr Robinson refused to be drawn into a public spat, but maintains the new powers can not be installed before Christmas.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today weighed in on the issue, stating Mr Brown's visit was an opportunity to end "squabbling and political maneuvering" among unionist parties.

"A failure by the DUP to deliver on this issue will be a failure for their political leadership. It will encourage their political rivals in the TUV and UUP to set the political agenda for unionism," he said.

Mr McGuinness echoed his republican colleague's sentiment this afternoon: "Peter (Robinson) needs to face down the 12 apostles, the 12 angry men within his party who are determined to, along with Jim Allister (Anti Agreement Unionist), to destroy the institutions that are overwhelmingly supported by the people."

Speaking to the BBC yesterday, the First Minister said, even if the will was there, it would be impossible to rush the process.

"I thought it might have been a possibility to do it before the European election, but clearly even if I was to agree to the devolution of policing and justice today, it couldn't be done before Christmas," he said.

"Because the reality is, there is further legislation to go through the Assembly.

"There is even a Bill going through the Assembly at the present time and there are other processes."

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness have held a series of talks with Mr Brown in London, with the aim of resolving funding issues.

It has been reported that setting up the new local policing and justice department could cost in the region of £600m, however, a final figure is still to be agreed by the UK Treasury.

The First Minister has renewed his calls for the Conservative Party to guarantee any amount settled, given the likelihood of a general election next year.

David Cameron said it would be his inclination to support the eventual financial agreement.

(PR/KMcA)