DUP under pressure as Clinton backs justice powers deal

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson faced fresh pressure tonight to agree a deal on devolving policing and justice powers to Stormont after US secretary of state Hillary Clinton backed the move.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson faced fresh pressure tonight to agree a deal on devolving policing and justice powers to Stormont after US secretary of state Hillary Clinton backed the move.

Mrs Clinton today held private talks in Belfast with Mr Robinson and with Sinn Féin, which wants a swift transfer of the powers that would see unionists and republicans share responsibility for the North's justice system.

In a carefully-worded speech to the power-sharing Assembly Mrs Clinton said the US did not seek to interfere in its affairs, but she nevertheless urged the parties to move forward in a bid to bolster the peace process.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been involved in intense negotiations to resolve the devolution issue and today handed the DUP and Sinn Féin a document detailing his financial blueprint for the process.

Mrs Clinton, who arrived in the North last night and held a series of engagements today, effectively threw her weight behind Mr Brown’s efforts to secure a deal.

“The Obama administration and the United States is committed to helping you finish your journey,” she said in an address to the Assembly.

“But when it comes to the important issue of the devolution of policing and justice, that is a decision for this Assembly to take.”

But she added: “As a true friend, my hope is that you will achieve what you set out to do, to complete the process of devolution.”

Mrs Clinton met First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness for talks at Stormont, meeting the men separately with party delegations before also holding joint discussions.

After addressing the Assembly – where two DUP members left the chamber while other politicians were giving Mrs Clinton a standing ovation – the US politician met business leaders at Queen’s University before visiting the city’s renovated City Hall.

DUP members Willie McCrea and Gregory Campbell, who have spoken out against a swift devolution of policing and justice powers, left the Assembly while other members were applauding Mrs Clinton, but later said the proceedings were over and they had other business.

Throughout the day the US Secretary of State repeated it was in the interests of the US to see the peace process thrive, because it served as an inspiration to other conflicts around the globe.

Mrs Clinton told the Assembly: “Today Northern Ireland stands as an example to the world of how even the staunchest adversaries can overcome difference to work together for the greater good so I encourage you to move forward with the same unstoppable spirit of grit and resolve.”

She said the best guard against dissident republican groups still engaged in violence was lasting devolution.

“Moving together will leave them stranded on the wrong side of history,” she said.

Mrs Clinton has visited the North seven times, since she first arrived as First Lady in 1995 alongside her husband President Bill Clinton when US intervention played a crucial role in securing the Good Friday Agreement peace deal of 1998.

The St Andrews Agreement of 2006 paved the way for the once seemingly impossible creation of a powersharing government led by the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Former DUP leader Ian Paisley who first led his party into the historic administration was in the Assembly today, as was the former leader of the SDLP John Hume.

The St Andrews Agreement envisaged the devolution of policing and justice, though the DUP and Sinn Féin remain divided on when the process will be completed.

Tensions over the issue rose over recent weeks when Mr McGuinness publicly criticised Mr Robinson. He challenged the DUP leader to face-down hardline elements in the DUP who are opposed to a deal with republicans and who fear losing support in the forthcoming General Election.

The DUP leader has said his party is united and stressed he would not be rushed on devolving policing and justice, which he said was a life and death issue that had to be handled with care.

The DUP has also handed Mr Brown a letter demanding movement on a series of issues to help bolster confidence in the unionist community.

The demands include a call for the scrapping of the Parades Commission, the retention of the police reserve which is scheduled to be phased out, plus moves to allow former security force members easier access to personal protection weapons.

After meeting Mrs Clinton, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness reiterated their determination to make power-sharing work.

The DUP leader said: “Of course there are difficulties but I believe we are committed to making it work, we are committed to the long haul, we are committed to overcoming the problems we will face and we are very grateful for the assistance we have had from the United States, from this and from particularly the two previous administrations.”

Mr McGuinness said Mrs Clinton had played a vital role in securing peace.

He added: “We do face, as Peter has said, huge challenges in the times ahead. Yes, we have had many accomplishments over the course of recent times and this is not a time for complacency: this is a time for recognising the great achievements but facing up to the challenges that clearly face us.”

Just hours after Mrs Clinton left the Assembly there was a shift in the positive mood as politicians clashed over religion.

This afternoon saw a debate sponsored by Sinn Féin members who attacked Culture Minister Nelson McCausland of the DUP for his refusal to attend any ministerial event that would include a visit to a Catholic church because of his personal opposition to the religion.

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