Robinson: Too early to tell how policing deal talks will go

It is too soon to tell if a deal will be clinched on devolving policing and justice powers to the North, the leader of the Democratic Unionists warned today.

Peter Robinson said the controversy had dogged the power-sharing government throughout its three-year existence but he downplayed any sense of crisis.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown are chairing intensive negotiations involving all the main parties at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down in an attempt to break the stalemate.

Downing Street said it was “too early to speculate” about whether Mr Brown would spend a second night in the North.

A spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach are both of the view that progress can be made.”