Doubt over North elections delay

THE British Government has refused to consider any delays in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections, despite Tony Blair's announcement that the poll would be put back four weeks.

Mr Blair announced on Tuesday night that the poll would now take place on May 29 in an attempt to break the political deadlock and restore devolution.

One source said: "We will work on the legislation necessary for the new election date, but we would not want to go beyond that."