Robinson rejoins crunch talks with Sinn Féin

Under pressure Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson rejoined political talks with Sinn Féin tonight as efforts intensified to secure a deal on devolving policing powers to the North.

His arrival at Stormont for the crunch talks with republicans marked his first public appearance since announcing on Monday he was temporarily stepping down as First Minister to deal with the fall out from the sex and money scandal that his destroyed his wife Iris’s political career and threatened his.

Mr Robinson is facing a series of official probes after claims he covered up his wife’s failure to declare £50,000 she obtained from two wealthy developers to set her teenage lover up in business.

The revelations, which have forced Mrs Robinson to resign as MP, MLA and councillor, broke at a critical juncture for the fragile powersharing administration, with the long-running row over the delay in transferring law and order powers from Westminster threatening to bring down the institutions.

But the crisis has appeared to focus minds within DUP ranks and in the last number of days the party’s negotiating team has been involved in closely guarded talks with their Sinn Féin counterparts in a bid to secure a breakthrough.

Mr Robinson did not comment as he entered Stormont Castle, but moments earlier Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he and his colleagues had cleared their diaries in preparation for lengthy talks over the coming days.

“We are here to do business,” he said.

“We have cleared our schedules in order to be available.”

Mr Adams described the talks as “serious, focused and at a sensitive point.”

But he would not be drawn when asked if the very survival of the administration was at stake.

“I don’t want to get into any of that,” he said.

“I think the main business is to get an agreement as quickly as possible and I and our people are just very cautious about saying anything which would distract attention from that.”

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown today insisted that an “early” deal for completing devolution was within reach.

The Prime Minister also played down the impact of the Iris Robinson scandal on the peace process.

He and Taoiseach Brian Cowen sounded an optimistic note after talks at Downing Street.

“Some people have also questioned whether the recent turbulence in the politics of Northern Ireland will slow progress on the issues, particularly those on the devolution of policing and justice,” Mr Brown said.

“I want to say that both our governments remain very closely involved with the Northern Ireland parties and have been over the last week in particular.

“Let there be no mistake – intensive work is continuing towards the completion of devolution in policing and justice.”

Mr Cowen said he believed the outstanding issues were “ready for agreement and resolution”.

“We are encouraged that serious negotiations are continuing between the parties,” he added.