Devolution of policing in danger, warns DUP

Talks on devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly could be in danger, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) warned today.

The party’s East Antrim MP and Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson questioned the British government's commitment to negotiations on financing the transfer of the powers.

He said his party believed there is little point in continuing the talks with Downing Street unless progress is made soon.

The devolution of policing powers has been a source of major controversy, with Sinn Féin demanding the process be completed in line with an agreement between republicans and the DUP.

Stormont ministers are expected to discuss draft legislation on devolution today at a meeting of the Assembly’s Executive, but Mr Wilson said the talks on securing the necessary funding for the move were crucial to completing the process.

“Despite many months of detailed discussions on how justice would be financed, there is still no sign that the government is serious about providing the necessary funding,” he said.

“There should be no doubt that unless this matter is resolved, it would be impossible to devolve the functions.

“Indeed, while the government maintains its present position on the matter, discussion about the devolution of policing and justice functions will remain academic.”

He added: “We have approached these negotiations with the (British) government in good faith but without serious engagement on their part there is little point in our continuing with these discussions and we will have to consider our future approach on this matter in the coming days.”

Mr Wilson nevertheless welcomed today’s planned discussion by ministers in the North of the draft legislation linked to establishing a new Stormont justice minister.

He also said his party was content it had sufficient control over the creation of the new ministry.

First Minister Peter Robinson had been expected to clear the way for a discussion of the enabling legislation on July 9 and was criticised at the time by Sinn Féin when the matter was delayed.

But Mr Robinson said he wanted to give ministers sufficient time to study the enabling legislation.

Ministers will meet at Stormont Castle today where the legislation is on the agenda, which should mark a further step towards completing the process of transferring the powers from Westminster to Stormont.