US Special Envoy in Belfast for talks on devolution crisis

The US Special Envoy is meeting politicians in the North today over the stalemate which is threatening to collapse devolved government.

Paula Dobriansky is speaking with Sinn Fein in Belfast, and she will meet with the DUP in London tomorrow as efforts to break a four-month freeze on meetings of the ministerial executive intensify.

Sinn Fein is refusing to take part in Cabinet discussions in protest at lack of progress on devolving policing and justice powers.

The Northern Executive has not held a session since June.