Unionists out-voted on policing and justice resolution

Sinn Fein has managed to steal a march on the DUP at Stormont by out-voting it at an important committee meeting.

With two unionists absent for the vote, the committee agreed yesterday to set a five-week deadline for drawing up proposals on the devolution of policing and justice powers.

Unionists opposed the proposal, but lost out by four votes to three.

The DUP is currently refusing to set a timetable for the devolution of policing and justice, saying it needs more time to assess the IRA's future intentions.

The move has led to a stalemate in the power-sharing Executive, with Sinn Féin blocking ministerial meetings as a result of the unionist stance.