Paisley hits out at policing claim

Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley denied today that a date had been set for the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Assembly.

He was responding to claims from Sinn Féin and other unionists that a deal had been struck to hand over the responsibilities to a locally elected minister by May 2008.

He also hit out at British Prime Minister Tony Blair for claiming that the move had been agreed.

"I do not agree with the statement of the Prime Minister when he claims that we, the DUP, agreed there could be devolution of policing and justice within a certain time limit," he said.

"Sinn Féin have said there was a date … this is a completely untrue statement.

"I would ask the Prime Minister to say when this meeting takes place, who asked the question. There is a triple lock in place, when policing is devolved it goes back to the First Minister."

Mr Blair flew home early from his Florida holiday last week as the stand-off between republicans and the DUP over policing worsened.

He expressed optimism that the institutions of government would be set up by the March deadline envisaged in last year's St Andrews Agreement between the local parties and the Irish and British Governments.

Mr Paisley said: "I can't agree with the Prime Minister unless we believe it is the truth."

He was speaking ahead of a meeting on policing at Stormont on the outskirts of Belfast which is expected to address a number of key issues, including the shortfall of experienced detectives.

Sinn Féin's officer board is meeting in Dublin tomorrow. Senior figures such as Mr Adams and Mitchell McLaughlin will be reviewing progress since the party's leadership agreed to call an Árd Fheis, to endorse republicans' engagement with policing.

The party has suffered dissent, with some members leaving in opposition to the step.

The DUP has demanded proof of Sinn Féin's commitment to law and order and policing before agreeing to share power.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain is to meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern today to discuss the peace process.

Downing Street has refused to comment on any private conversations with the political parties.

But a spokesman said Blair's assessment was based on what should happen if Sinn Féin delivers fully on its commitment to support the police and the rule of law.