Blair ‘must set date for elections’

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair has been challenged to prove his commitment to political progress in the North by setting a date for Assembly elections.

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew threw down the gauntlet to the prime minister after he said in his monthly news conference at Downing Street that devolution must be restored.

While stressing Northern Ireland had come a long way in recent years, Mr Blair insisted the current political deadlock threatened the process.