Stormont crisis talks press on in hope of rescue deal

The future of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government hung in the balance tonight as the British and Irish premiers committed themselves to lengthy talks to secure a rescue deal.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Taoiseach Brian Cowen were preparing for negotiations through the night between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, aimed at resolving the crisis over the stalled devolution of law and order powers to the region.