Policing Committee To Get Ministerial Meeting

More than four months after the Stormont Executive last met - in June - there's a glimmer of hope that things might be progressing.

It has emerged today that the First and Deputy First Ministers have written to a special Stormont committee seeking a private meeting.

The meeting follows a row over what they agreed in a joint letter to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee in July.

Peter Robinson (pictured) and Martin McGuinness contacted the chairman of the committee on Monday and it has been agreed to meet the ministers in private session - despite an objection from the SDLP's Alex Attwood.

The committee was initially asked by the ministers in July to discuss policing and justice issues and it has been seeking a meeting since then to clarify what is required.

The letter said a new, devolved Justice Minister should be elected from the NI Assembly at all times on a cross-community vote.

The DUP said this meant a cross-community vote would be used in perpetuity but a major stumbling block has halted progress as Sinn Féin insisted the letter referred only to a temporary arrangement.

See: Parade Plan Heightens Tension As Executive Fails To Meet

See: North-South Summit In Doubt As NI Executive Fails To Meet

(BMcC)