Plan would have led to transfer of policing powers

MOVES to transfer policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive would have begun within months under the Northern devolution plan.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was also set to recommend that his party end its boycott of the PSNI as soon as the new policing laws were passed.

Republicans have refused to back the police service and encourage their supporters not to join until further reforms are achieved.