DUP seeks to delay devolution by two months

The Democratic Unionist Party has called on the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to pass emergency legislation to delay power-sharing in the North by six weeks.

The DUP executive is believed to have passed a motion to the effect that Monday's deadline must be extended until May.

Speaking after a meeting in Belfast, the DUP leader Ian Paisley said a resolution had been passed with 90% support.

The Northern Secretary Peter Hain has said he must receive firm indications from the DUP by midnight tonight that it is prepared to share power with Sinn Féin from Monday.