SDLP Sees 'No Deal' On Policing

Weeks of frantic shuttle diplomacy involving meetings in London, New York, Belfast and Dublin on a settlement for the devolution of policing and justice to Stormont have to date come to nothing.

The SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan said this afternoon "there is still no timeline" for any settlement.

Speaking after an SDLP delegation - which included Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnel and the party's Policing Spokesman Alex Attwood - met the First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont Castle Mr Durkan insisted there should be no reason why powers cannot be transferred before Christmas.

"While we did not see Gordon Brown's offer some of the issues surrounding the financial side of things have been 'coloured in'.

"However, the big issue of 'when' is still undecided. This week the SDLP suggested that we devolve justice and policing by 7 December.

"Both Sinn Féin and the DUP voted against this proposal so we still have no timeline," he fumed.

"There is no reason why we cannot have devolved policing and justice powers before Christmas if the will is there. We need to see progress quickly.

"The SDLP now want to see the positives turned into definitives.

"If the SDLP had our way we would have the devolution of powers and the ministry in place by now."

The SDLP met Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Stormont Castle today and soon afterwards, the Executive Ministers are hosted the Ulster Unionists and Alliance.

The meetings came after Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness held a series of intensive meetings with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

They discussed the financial package for the devolution of justice.

(BMcC/GK)