North talks to resume as hopes rise for a deal

Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionists will resume talks tomorrow on devolving policing powers to Stormont after a weekend that saw both party leaders express hopes a deal could be done.

Troubled DUP leader Peter Robinson, still coping with the fall out from the sex and money scandal involving his wife Iris, said today he was “more convinced than ever” the outstanding issues holding up the transfer of law and order responsibilities from Westminster can be worked through.

The East Belfast MP, who has temporarily stepped down as First Minister in the wake of the controversy engulfing his family, said there were three matters to resolve – namely, who will be the new Justice Minister, how he or she will work with Executive colleagues and how controversial parades will be managed in the future?

“We are starting to make progress in the discussions, ” he said.

“I hope that they (Sinn Féin) recognise that we genuinely want to get there.”

His positive read on events came a day after Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, himself facing personal problems over sex abuse allegations levelled at his brother Liam, expressed hope an agreement was workable.

“Our focus has to be to make this work and it is my view that it can be made to work within the context of the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements (peace accords of 1998 and 2006) and that’s where our focus is,” he said during a break from the intensive negotiations at Stormont Castle.

The sense of improving relations between the rowing partners in the powersharing administration was underlined today when it was revealed that Mr Robinson has shaken hands with Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness for the first time.

The senior republican offered his hand to commiserate with him over his personal troubles.

“He expressed sympathy to me and put out his hand,” Mr Robinson told the Sunday Times of the private exchange.

“I thought it would be wrong of me in those circumstances to do anything other than that (shake it).”

Mr Robinson has stood down as First Minister for six weeks to deal with the revelations that destroyed his wife’s political career and threatens his.

He is facing a series of official probes after claims he did not alert the authorities to Mrs Robinson’s failure to declare £50,000 (€55,000) she obtained from two wealthy developers to set her teenage lover up in business – allegations he vehemently denies.

The deeply symbolic moment between the effective head of unionism in the North and a self-confessed former IRA commander would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

The relationship between the two leaders has appeared colder and less personal than the bonhomie that characterised Mr McGuinness’s political partnership with former DUP leader Ian Paisley.

But while the firebrand Protestant preacher and ex IRA member were dubbed the ’chuckle brothers’ such was their jocularity when together, Mr Paisley has insisted they never shook hands.

Mr Robinson’s account of the pair’s exchanges after the claims about his wife emerged hints at a much warmer relationship than the one often portrayed in public.

“(McGuiness) very kindly sent me text messages, then voice mail messages and spoke to me privately about the issues,” he said.

Sinn Féin has its own problems and Mr Adams was under further pressure today after fresh claims he covered up sex abuse allegations against fellow republicans – one of them an elected member of his party.

Already facing tough questions over his handling of sex charges against his brother Liam, alleged victims of two other suspected abusers have accused the west Belfast MP of failing to act against them.

The Sinn Féin president has vehemently denied he was part of any alleged cover up to protect his brother or the other suspected abusers.

Both main parties took a break from the marathon devolution talks today. They will resume at Stormont Castle tomorrow.