Hillsborough Crisis Talks Resume

Gordon Brown and Irish counterpart Brian Cowen have resumed negotiations with Northern Ireland's political leaders at Hillsborough in a bid to save the fragile power-sharing government.

Attempts last night to avert a crisis ended without agreement.

Ongoing wrangling between the DUP and Sinn Fein over devolved policing and justice powers has threatened to collapse the local Assembly.

The two premiers flew into the province yesterday evening to chair reignited negotiations, after republicans walked away from talks last week.

Entering Hillsborough Castle this afternoon, DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party would not be pushed into a deal, insisting he and his colleagues were there for the "long haul".

A Sinn Fein delegation led by party president Gerry Adams and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness also arrived for further discussions earlier.

Sinn Fein wants the new powers transferred to the Executive as soon as possible, while DUP figures insist there is still not necessary unionist "community confidence".

A major stumbling block for both parties is the continued role of the Parades Commission.

The commission adjudicates on contentious Orange Order marches. The DUP has called for its dissolution, while Sinn Fein supports its existence.

Describing last night's talks, a spokesman for Mr Brown said: "It was hard going but the parties engaged in good faith. There was frank discussion across a range of issues.

"The prime minister and taoiseach remain determined that progress can be made, so discussions will continue on Tuesday morning."

Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and Alliance were also involved in late night discussions.

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the two premiers were making a "big effort".

Mr Brown has postponed today's cabinet meeting until later in the week.

Should Sinn Fein pull Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness from the Executive, First Minister Peter Robinson would also be forced to resign.

If either party failed to renominate within seven days, Northern Ireland's political institutions would revert to direct rule until the time Secretary of State Shaun Woodward called fresh Assembly elections.

(PR/BMcC)