Elements of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) remain opposed to sharing power with Catholics, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams controversially claimed tonight.

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Ian Paisley clashed with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today over the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

Fresh disagreements over policing and justice have plunged the Northern Ireland Executive into crisis, it was claimed tonight.

Sinn Féin is threatening to collapse the North's Government if policing and justice powers are not devolved to Stormont as promised.

Sinn Féin and the DUP have been accused of dangerous brinkmanship as talks aimed at avoiding a political crisis in the North continue tonight.

British prime Minister Gordon Brown meets Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams today for talks to try to ensure devolution in the North does not collapse.