Future of powersharing in North thrown into doubt

The future of the powersharing administration in the North was again in doubt tonight after unionist parties walked out of a political talks process in protest at the banning of an Orange Order parade.

The Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists said that collapsing negotiations on outstanding peace process issues at Stormont, to highlight their anger at the ruling by the Parades Commission adjudication body, was the first stage of a “graduated response”.