Devolution returns to North, new pressure on IRA

Devolution returned yesterday to the North amid new pressure on the IRA to begin disarming.

Northern Secretary John Reid ended his 24-hour suspension of the Stormont institutions and restored power at midnight.

Ulster unionist leader David Trimble was finalising plans to oust Sinn Fein from the Executive in a bid to force the Provisionals into action over decommissioning.

The former First Minister also warned he will pull his own ministers from the cabinet if IRA guns are not put beyond use.

Dr Reid has bought another six weeks in which to secure IRA decommissioning.

He said yesterday: “I have decided in the light of the discussions I have had to lift suspensions.

“This gives us another period to try and resolve the outstanding issues which are prohibiting the full working of the institutions and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.”