Election if Stormont falls

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has said Northern Ireland will face an Assembly election should the current executive collapse over policing and justice.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Feb 2010, 09:35 BST

Updated 3rd Feb 2010, 09:36 BST

Mr Brown made the assertion to UUP leader Sir Reg Empey in a phone call yesterday-confirming that the poll will be the preferred option as opposed to suspending the Assembly.

The PM said the deal currently under discussion on policing and justice was considering of UUP concerns over the "dysfunctionality" of the executive.

There are suggestions that a considerable number of the DUP MLA's are not prepared to accept the current batch of proposals. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds stated that the party was 'united' behind First Minister Peter Robinson. However, he did not deny a BBC report that 14 DUP MLA's voted against the Hillsborough proposals on Monday.