North deadlock – Landmark Árd Fheis in doubt

ANY lingering doubts about the gravity of the North’s latest impasse were dispelled when British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s cut short his Miami holiday in an attempt to salvage what remains of the St Andrews agreement.

Given his penchant for celebrity mansions, it was not a decision taken lightly.

Be that as it may, the political reality is that Mr Blair is threatening to pull out of efforts to form a devolved government set for March 26.

The British and Irish governments are right to demand total clarity from the two key players, Sinn Féin and DUP, on the basic issues of support for policing and power sharing. Unionist equivocation has put Sinn Féin’s landmark Árd Fheis in doubt. Common sense demands they deliver on respective commitments to support policing and share power.

It is critical both sides get their act together.