SF executive to discuss St Andrew’s proposals tomorrow

Sinn Féin has announced that its ard comhairle will meet in Dublin tomorrow to discuss the St Andrew's proposals put forward following talks in Scotland last week.

The meeting is the first stage of the party's formal consultations on the proposals, which include a Sinn Féin endorsement for the PSNI.

Meanwhile, the Irish and British Governments say they are confident that the dispute which caused the postponement of planned talks among the North's political leaders yesterday can be resolved.

The meeting of the Stormont Preparation for Government Committee was postponed after DUP leader Ian Paisley refused to attend due to a dispute over the timing of Sinn Féin's endorsement for the PSNI.

Dr Paisley claims he received a written commitment at St Andrew's that Martin McGuinness would have to take a pledge of support for the police and the rule of law when he is nominated as Deputy First Minister before the November 24 devolution deadline.

However, Sinn Féin will not have held a party conference to endorse the police by then and says it believes the pledge will not have to be made until power-sharing is properly restored next March.