DUP embarks on crucial meeting over power-sharing

Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists today embarked on a crucial party meeting about their possible involvement in a new power-sharing executive.

However as the 120 member party executive gathered at the headquarters of Castlereagh Borough Council in Belfast, senior party sources expressed doubts about whether the party would be able to be in a position to nominate devolved ministers by next Monday’s power-sharing deadline.

Leading party figures said little as they arrived at the council offices in fine spring sunshine for what was being billed as the most important meeting the party has ever had.

Mr Paisley, wearing his trademark Homburg cap, smiled as he arrived in his chauffeur driven car and greeted journalists with the words: “Lovely morning.”

His son Ian Junior arrived by motorbike.

Other senior figures who have become sceptical about the March 26 deadline such as East Derry MP Gregory Campbell and MEP Jim Allister, said nothing as they arrived early.

DUP sources, however, suggested that today’s meeting could be broken up into two parts, with a senior delegation having to leave for a period of time for negotiations with the British government.

The DUP is under pressure to confirm that it will nominate Mr Paisley as Northern Ireland First Minister by Monday’s power sharing deadline as well as four devolved ministers.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain has warned that if next Monday’s deadline is not met, the Assembly will be closed down, the 108 MLAs elected earlier this month will receive no salary and controversial water charges will be introduced in the North on April 1.

A party source said: “There is still intense negotiations taking place with the British government and at this stage it is looking unlikely that we will be able to run d’hondt (the system nominating devolved ministers) in the Assembly on Monday.

“There is a lot of hard talking but the question is whether people in government really want to throw the baby out with the bath water on Monday.”

Sinn Féin’s national executive was also meeting in Dublin today as the DUP continued to negotiate.