Paisley gloomy on devolution deal hopes
Ian Paisley dealt a heavy blow tonight to attempts to strike a new devolution deal in the North.
After meeting British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street, the Democratic Unionist leader warned the chances of a settlement by the Government's November 24 deadline were slim.
He also called for the abandonment of plans to hold a peace summit in Scotland next month, branding it a waste of money.
With London and Dublin attempting to get the DUP and Sinn Féin back into a power-sharing administration at Stormont, Mr Paisley gave a gloomy assessment of the chances of success this autumn.
He said: "I don't think so.
"In fact, we never mentioned it. There was no deadlines mentioned, but I can't see it.''
With Mr Blair quitting within the next 12 months, the November 24 deadline is increasingly being seen as the last chance to revive the Northern Ireland Assembly before he goes.
Mr Paisley conceded that the Prime Minister's focus could be elsewhere as he prepares to stand down, even though he stressed they could still do business.
"We have to be realistic that Mr Blair has a lot on his plate at the present time,'' he said.
But the DUP chief was adamant that the plan to corral Northern Ireland's political leaders in Scotland next month would yield little success.
He insisted: "We shouldn't leave Northern Ireland for this meeting.
"We should all stay in Northern Ireland and do it there.
"I put this very forcefully to the Prime Minister. He said he would take it on board.
"I feel it's a waste of money. Why spend all this money in Scotland? Let's have it in Stormont.''
