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.