Hopes fading on Policing and Justice deal

SOME DUP MLA's threatened to resign over proposals on the devolution of Policing and Justice, it has been reported.

SOME DUP MLA's threatened to resign over proposals on the devolution of Policing and Justice, it has been reported.

Yesterday's meeting, where the proposals were put before the DUP's Assembly team by party leader, Peter Robinson has been described as "stormy".

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Not all of the Stormont DUP contingent attended yesterday's meeting, but the BBC have claimed that 14 of those in attendance rejected the proposals. It is also claimed that a number of the DUP's Westminster MP's were amongst those who are at odds with the proposals.

Deadlines for the conclusions of the talks have continually lapsed since last Friday. The British and Irish Governments said they would publish their proposals on a way forward on the issue if the deal had not been sealed by last Friday. That has not happened and it is not understood that the talks could continue on until the end of this week.

Optimism is fading that the deal can be rescued, but further meetings between the DUP and Sinn Fin are expected.

The Sinn Fin team is now expected to brief its Stormont team.

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Both parties have been wrangling on the devolution of Policing and Justice for months.

Sinn Fin want the powers transferred at once. Yet, the DUP say the transfer will only take place when there is "community confidence" amongst unionists.

There have also been blockages on the issue of parading.

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