Stalemate at Downing Street

There has been no breakthrough at talks with the Northern pro- Agreement parties at Number 10 Downing Street.

The Taoiseach and the British prime minister met the parties to discuss the key issues of decommissioning and policing.

The gravity of the crisis now ahead was clear in every line spoken in Downing Street this afternoon.

The normally positive deputy first minister, Seamus Mallon, admitted the process was in deep trouble and the institutions in grave danger.

The Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble did not bother to hide his frustration either.

His voice trembling with anger, he said his patience was at an end.

Speaking after his meeting, Gerry Adams said the fault line went right back to the signing of the Agreement when Mr Blair had done a side-deal with the Ulster Unionists. He said he did not believe the difficulties could be resolved before Mr Trimble’s threatened resignation on July 1st. The question being asked now is, will the British government suspend the Agreement before then.