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DUP, Sinn Fein leaders meet Brown Robinson and Adams in PM meetings
(about 2 hours later)
DUP leader Peter Robinson is holding taks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The DUP and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have discussed doubts over whether Sinn Féin will disrupt the handover of power between Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson.
The talks are over doubts about whether Sinn Féin will disrupt the handover of power between Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson in the assembly on Thursday. An assembly election could be called within weeks if it is not resolved.
Earlier, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams also held talks with Mr Brown. Sinn Féin is unhappy at the DUP's veto of devolving policing and justice, and Gerry Adams also met Mr Brown earlier.
Sinn Féin described the meeting as a private discussion and Mr Adams left through the back door of 10 Downing Street without commenting. Neither party has commented on the meetings, but sources suggest the impending crisis may be waning and a resolution is possible.
The DUP said the meeting was arranged well in advance, with the agenda including issues such as government support for a Bombardier plane contract and a smooth leadership transition between Mr Paisley and Mr Robinson.
'Private discussion'
Earlier, Sinn Féin described its meeting as a private discussion and Mr Adams left through the back door of 10 Downing Street without commenting.
Sinn Féin is angry at the DUP's veto of devolving policing and justice powers to Stormont, as well as its failure to introduce an Irish language act.
However, the DUP insists it will not negotiate under duress.
Senior government sources have been trying to dampen the sense of an impending crisis - they say all the two parties need is reassurance that the other is serious about devolution, and they believe a resolution can and will be found.Senior government sources have been trying to dampen the sense of an impending crisis - they say all the two parties need is reassurance that the other is serious about devolution, and they believe a resolution can and will be found.
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 and DUP leaderships had talks at Stormont on Monday.Sinn Féin and DUP leaderships had talks at Stormont on Monday.
'Formality' It was expected to be a formality on Thursday, that after Ian Paisley stepped down as first minister to be replaced by Peter Robinson, 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.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mr McGuinness said: "I'm just going back into my office to continue with my work.
"Obviously you all know that discussions are taking place on an ongoing basis to deal with the outstanding issues that St Andrews threw up and that's exactly where things are at."
If Mr McGuinness is not nominated, the two parties have one week to resolve the issue before the Northern Ireland Secretary 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.
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'.
"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."