Doubts over Sinn Féin move on policing

HOPES that Sinn Féin could make a ground breaking move on policing in Northern Ireland were last night in doubt after the party said it was still awaiting a positive response from the Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists.

After a series of conversations between Gerry Adams and Prime Minister Tony Blair, a party spokesman confirmed they were still locked in negotiations with the British Government.

And it also indicated that the party was not yet ready to set an exact date for its special conference to consider supporting for the first time the Police Service of Northern Ireland.