DUP under pressure to deal with Sinn Féin

NEGOTIATIONS involving all Northern parties will begin next month amid clear signs that Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party will come under intense pressure to engage with Sinn Féin.

Northern secretary Peter Hain yesterday confirmed that he will commence discussions with the parties in September, to restore devolved government as quickly as possible.

While Mr Hain would not be drawn on a timescale, he did say that the IRA statement had created a context that would allow dramatic progress.