Theresa Villiers speech fails to break stalemate

Uncertainty continues to dog political talks aimed at saving power-sharing in Northern Ireland after a British government statement failed to prompt unionists to sign up to negotiations.

The Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists want to see action taken against paramilitarism before they enter into cross-party, round-table discussions to resolve the crisis created by an IRA-linked murder.

Both parties had hoped Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers would outline definitive steps to crack down on remaining terror structures in a statement to the British House of Commons.