North's talks 'at sensitive point'

The North's political leaders will today continue intensive negotiations aimed at securing a deal to stabilise its power-sharing administration.

The under-pressure DUP leader Peter Robinson rejoined the talks with Sinn Féin last night, as speculation mounted that a deal could be imminent.

His arrival at the Stormont castle talks 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 destroyed his wife Iris’s political career and threatens his.

Mr Robinson is facing a series of official probes after claims he should have revealed his wife’s failure to declare £50,000 (€56,600) she obtained from two wealthy developers to set her teenage lover up in business. Mr Robinson denies any wrongdoing.

The revelations, which forced Mrs Robinson to resign as MP, MLA and councillor, broke at a critical juncture for the fragile power-sharing 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 appeared to focus minds within the DUP who are said to be making progress in their closely guarded talks with Sinn Féin.

Mr Robinson did not comment as he entered Stormont Castle, but 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.”

He said the talks were “serious, focused and at a sensitive point”.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday insisted that an “early” deal for completing devolution was within reach.

Mr Brown 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.

“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,” said the Mr Brown.

“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.