Deadlock over policing threatens Assembly election

The British government may be forced to pull the plug in the new year on plans for an Assembly election in the North because of the deadlock over policing, ministers were warned today.

As Assembly members prepared to debate a motion accusing Northern Secretary Peter Hain of dictating how Stormont conducts its business, UUP leader Reg Empey alleged the rival DUP were not as keen as his party about a March election because of problems within the party.