Irish Republican News · February 5, 2010

DUP BACKS DEAL WITH SINN FEIN

The DUP have said they have reached a basis for deal with which they can move forward on the devolution of policing and justice.

DUP assembly members gathered at Stormont at about 10pm tonight. Party leader Peter Robinson told the media at around midnight that the decision to back the deal had been “unanimous”.

On Monday, a vote on an outline deal was reported to have been opposed by 40% of the DUP Assembly members. It was not immediately clear what extra concessions had been secured by DUP negotiators in order to win over the dissenters. The party has spent the past few days seeking a side deal with the British government on the issue of sectarian parades.

It is understood the British and 26-County prime ministers will travel to Belfast this [Friday] morning.

“We have had a very constructive meeting of our assembly group and I had the opportunity to put to them proposals which we have been working on,” said Mr Robinson.

“Everyone present believes that this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges we have made to the people.

“We look forward to going tomorrow to Hillsborough and the document should be published.”

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