Justice Negotiations Continue

Acting First Minister Arlene Foster has dismissed claims the DUP entered policing and justice negotiations under duress.

She quashed claims by Traditional Unionist Jim Allister (pictured) that the DUP effectively had a 'gun put its head' by Sinn Fein amid party turmoil and scandal.

Mrs Foster's comments came as talks on the devolution of judiciary powers to the local Assembly entered a tentative stage.

Reports suggest a breakthrough between Sinn Fein and the DUP could be announced soon. as dialogue continues today.

Mrs Foster denied her party was "petrified" of a likely early election if agreement was not reached.

She said discussions with Sinn Fein regarding contentious parading issues were being handled in a positive manner.

Mr Allister, a vocal opponent of the power-sharing arrangement at Stormont, said: "Sinn Fein have held a gun to Peter Robinson's head where he has a choice to make - either he rolls over and gives them their demand for policing and justice or he faces the collapse of the assembly and an election."

DUP MLAs met at Stormont Castle on Saturday to be updated on progress.

Mrs Foster, who will answer First Minister's Questions later, said there was a good atmosphere around the talks.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party's sole MP has denied reports she could be handed the Ministry of Justice portfolio.

Lady Hermon, who remains on the fringes of the UUP after publicly denouncing an electoral link-up with the Tories, said several obstacles would stand in her way.

"The first major snag of course is that I am not an MLA, which any future Justice Minister must be," the North Down MP said.

"Secondly, having always disapproved of double-jobbing I'm certainly not about to become both an MP and an MLA. So am I about to swap roles and join the Assembly, thereby precipitating yet another by-election for Westminister? The answer is a definite 'no'."

UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey said his party had not been offered the ministerial position within the Executive.

"The issue of the Justice Minister has not arisen with us and we have not said anything about taking the ministry," he said.

"Our key interest is getting the Executive to work properly and if we were involved in proper negotiations that would be the number one priority."

Under the current D'Hondt mechanism the role would automatically fall to the SDLP, given both Sinn Fein and the DUP have ruled themselves out of taking the job.

However, Alliance has been widely tipped to take the post due to the emphases placed on cross-community support.

Some commentators have suggested the new Justice Minister could be appointed from outside the Assembly.

(PR/GK)