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PM talks to avert Stormont crisis PM talks to avert Stormont crisis
(10 minutes later)
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has met Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has emerged from talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London without making any comment.
The talks on Tuesday came amid mounting speculation Sinn Féin is prepared to derail Peter Robinson's elevation as Northern Ireland's first minister. It follows speculation Sinn Féin may derail Peter Robinson's elevation as Northern Ireland's first minister.
Sinn Féin is known to be unhappy at the DUP's continued veto of devolving policing and justice. A crisis could result in an assembly election.Sinn Féin is known to be unhappy at the DUP's continued veto of devolving policing and justice. A crisis could result in an assembly election.
It is understood Mr Robinson changed his assembly schedule amid speculation he will meet the prime minister later. It's understood DUP leader Mr Robinson may meet Mr Brown in London later.
The new DUP leader was due to deliver a report as finance minister on Tuesday afternoon, but changed the schedule. It has also emerged that the Sinn Fein and DUP leaderships had talks at Stormont on Monday.
It was expected to be a formality on Thursday after Ian Paisley stepped down as first minister to be replaced by Peter Robinson that Sinn Féin would nominate Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister. It was expected to be a formality on Thursday, after Ian Paisley stepped down as first minister to be replaced by Peter Robinson, that Sinn Féin would nominate Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister.
If Mr McGuinness is not nominated, the two parties have one week to resolve the issue before the secretary of state steps in. If Mr McGuinness is not nominated, the two parties have one week to resolve the issue before the Northern Ireland Secretary steps in.
Shaun Woodward could call an election to break the deadlock.Shaun Woodward could call an election to break the deadlock.
The potential crisis is serious enough to have got the attention of both London and Dublin with telephone diplomacy involving the two governments.The potential crisis is serious enough to have got the attention of both London and Dublin with telephone diplomacy involving the two governments.
In a statement, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said his party was focused on talks to resolve outstanding issues such as the devolution of policing and justice and an Irish language act.In a statement, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said his party was focused on talks to resolve outstanding issues such as the devolution of policing and justice and an Irish language act.
BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said it was difficult to gauge how serious the situation was.BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said it was difficult to gauge how serious the situation was.
"If they (Sinn Féin) don't actually nominate Martin McGuinness, then we get into what is being called 'the nuclear option'."If they (Sinn Féin) don't actually nominate Martin McGuinness, then we get into what is being called 'the nuclear option'.
"This would mean that the secretary of state would have to go for a fresh election which, on the face of it, you would think nobody would want at this stage."This would mean that the secretary of state would have to go for a fresh election which, on the face of it, you would think nobody would want at this stage.
"My guess is that they would probably prefer to settle this, having won a concession here or there, rather than going the whole way.""My guess is that they would probably prefer to settle this, having won a concession here or there, rather than going the whole way."