NI leaders await British proposal on policing funds

The British Government is expect to announce within months how much it is prepared to pay to get justice and policing powers devolved to Stormont on a sound economic footing.

The North's First and Deputy First Ministers met British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London yesterday to discuss the matter.

Speaking afterwards, they said they expected a firm proposal on funding in early September.

Mr Robinson said he hoped he would then be able to recommend that unionists support the devolution of policing powers, provided the finances were satisfactory.

Martin McGuinness said he was confident that the transfer of powers could happen by the end of the year.