DUP leader boycotts Stormont meeting

DUP leader Ian Paisley has boycotted a meeting with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams at Stormont today.

Following the St Andrews agreement which was made in Scotland on Friday, both Mr Paisley and Mr Adams were due to meet to take part in talks on a new 'Programme for Government' to discuss the future of an all-party power-sharing assembly.

The announcement that Mr Paisley would not be in attendance is understood to have come after a row over whether Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness would have to make an oath of allegiance.

In particular this relates to supporting the PSNI when being officially appointed as First Minister or Deputy First Minister, when the November 24 deadline is reached next month.

Th aim was for devolution to be fully restored and in place by March 26 2007.

DUP spokesperson Ian Paisley Junior today said that his father failed to attend the 'Programme for Government' meeting because he needed to further discuss matters relating to the agreement with the government.

He added that the DUP believe that Sinn Fein were trying to “unravel” Friday's deal with the Prime Minister and added that the DUP are warning Sinn Fein to “unravel this at your peril because Unionists will not be pushed on this issue.”

He continued: "You have got to deliver on the pledge or there is no agreement.”

Commenting on this morning's failed talks, Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain said: “It has become clear to me this morning that there are differences in the understanding of parties of what the St Andrews Agreement will mean for the pledge of office.

“It is important that all parties have a chance to discuss this. I have, therefore, asked the Preparation for Government Committee in its meeting this afternoon to discuss both the way in which the pledge of office might best be amended to reflect para 6 of the St Andrews Agreement and what the arrangements should be, in the context of the timetable set out in Annex D of the Agreement for confirming the pledge by the prospective ministers, including First Minister and Deputy First Minister.”

He concluded: “It is important that this is resolved quickly. I have therefore decided to postpone the Planned Programme for Government Committee meeting to enable the Preparation for Government Committee to discuss these issues urgently this afternoon.”

(EF)