21/10/2009

North's Devolved Policing Budget Outlined

The funding for devolved policing and justice in the North will be made public later.

UK PM Gordon Brown will outline the financial package, which has been the subject of lengthy political wrangling in recent months.

Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness held further budgetary talks with the Prime Minister in London last night.

The meeting was the latest in a series of summits, culminating in what the Deputy First Minister described as "a good night's work".

Mr McGuinness said Sinn Féin would not accept any "further hurdles", maintaining his belief progress could be made before Christmas.

Mr Robinson, the DUP First Minister, said confidence within the unionist community was essential to the future of a new devolved policing and judiciary department.

He said his party would discuss the figures - reportedly in the region of £800m - with other political leaders, as well as PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggot and senior court representatives.

"We see getting public confidence as being an essential ingredient - it was a commitment in our manifesto, and part of the confidence-building is having confidence in the financial arrangements," said Mr Robinson.

Stormont's other main parties were provided with outline figures last week. Sinn Fein has already accepted the deal, with the DUP seeking clarification on certain aspects.

The First Minister also hopes to meet with Tory leader David Cameron once the package is made public.

Mr Robinson is expected to seek a Conservative pledge on the arrangement, given the likelihood of a general election next year.

(PR/BMcC)

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