Elections to proceed without devolution

THE British Government is sticking with its plans for Assembly elections in Northern Ireland next month, even if efforts to restore devolution fail, a spokesman said last night.

With the peace process deadlocked over the IRA’s refusal to abandon paramilitarism, London and Dublin said the May 29 poll will go ahead regardless of whether there is a breakthrough.

British and Irish officials are still trying to persuade the IRA to issue a clearer statement on its future.