Hillsborough Crisis Talks Resume

The British PM, Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen held "frank" and "hard going" talks with the North's political leaders last night in a bid to save the fragile power-sharing government.

However, talks at Hillsborough Castle ended early this morning without agreement.

Ongoing wrangling between the DUP and Sinn Fein over devolved policing and justice powers has threatened to collapse the local Assembly.

The two premiers flew into the province yesterday evening to chair reignited negotiations, after republicans walked away from talks last week.

Sinn Fein wants the new powers transferred to the Executive as soon as possible, while DUP figures insist there is still not necessary unionist "community confidence".

A major stumbling block for both parties is the continued role of the Parades Commission.

The commission adjudicates on contentious Orange Order marches. The DUP has called for its dissolution, while Sinn Fein supports its existence.

This morning a spokesman for Mr Brown said: "It was hard going but the parties engaged in good faith. There was frank discussion across a range of issues.

"The prime minister and taoiseach remain determined that progress can be made, so discussions will continue on Tuesday morning."

He said Mr Brown is meeting the taoiseach this morning, followed by further meetings with the leadership of Sinn Fein and the DUP later.

Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and Alliance were also involved in last night's discussions.

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said the two premiers were making a "big effort".

Mr Brown has postponed today's cabinet meeting until later in the week.

Should Sinn Fein pull Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness from the Executive, First Minister Peter Robinson would also be forced to resign.

If either party failed to renominate within seven days, Northern Ireland's political institutions would revert to direct rule until the time Secretary of State Shaun Woodward called fresh Assembly elections.

(PR/BMcC)