Robinson and McGuinness to meet Brown

Stormont’s First and Deputy First ministers are today set to press Gordon Brown to stump up the cash required for the devolution of policing and justice powers.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will also discuss progress on assisting savers in the ill-fated Presbyterian Mutual Society during the meeting at Downing Street.

The British premier has agreed to set up a working group to examine how investors can recoup the millions lost when the society went under late last year.

Before meeting with the PM, the DUP leader and Sinn Féin Deputy leader will meet with UK Treasury officials at No 11 to discuss the PMS situation. The North's Finance Minister Sammy Wilson and Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster will also be present for those negotiations.

The focus will then shift next door to No 10, where Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness are scheduled to have a private meeting with the PM.

Top of the agenda will be the outstanding issues related to transferring justice powers from Westminster, foremost being the accompanying financial package.

Devolved ministers have urged Mr Brown to provide the money needed to ensure that front line policing is not affected by the legislative move. However thus far Mr Brown has yet to table a firm offer.