North elections set for suspension

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to suspend Northern Ireland’s Assembly elections later today.

With the republican leadership resisting British and Irish government pressure to declare an end to the IRA’s military campaign, Mr Blair is making an announcement this afternoon.

In Dublin, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell signalled the May 29 poll is definitely off.

The second postponement was being called even though parties in Belfast have been campaigning since Monday on behalf of candidates looking to win 108 seats at the Stormont assembly.

It now looks likely the election will be put back until the autumn at the earliest. But some sources believed the postponement could even be indefinite.

There was anger in Belfast particularly among Sinn Fein and the nationalist SDLP.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams claimed postponement would be in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, while the SDLP leader Mark Durkan claimed it would add to the instability of the North's devolved institutions.

Mr Adams also accused the Government of arrogantly dismissing his latest bid to explain the IRA’s position on paramilitary activity.

He hit out as well at the Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, blamed by nationalists for persuading Mr Blair to call off the vote.

Democratic Unionist Party deputy leader Peter Robinson also claimed: “It is clear the Prime Minister has caved in to the political cowardice of David Trimble.

“He is prepared to play fast and loose with the democratic process to prop up a leader who will be unable to deliver anything.”

Mr Blair will make a statement on Northern Ireland in 10 Downing Street at 2.30pm, said his official spokesman.

The spokesman refused to comment on whether Mr Blair would confirm Mr McDowell’s remarks in his statement.