Peace deadlock for North

THE North’s assembly elections look set to be delayed for weeks following failure to reach an early agreement on a deal to restore the power-sharing government.

Despite the setback, there is still optimism an agreement can be struck which will pave the way for the restoration of the North’s institutions.

Sources on both sides said the talks at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, were some of the most constructive since the 1998 Belfast Agreement.