Stormont justice meeting now off

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The assembly committee reviewing progress on the devolution of policing and justice has postponed a planned meeting.

It is because none of the parties responded to a request for their views on the issue.

Earlier this month, the Assembly and Executive Review committee wrote to all the parties seeking their views on the issue.

It had planned to meet next week to discuss the replies.

"When contacted by the BBC, the committee's chairman, Jimmy Spratt of the DUP, said he was disappointed but that he did not believe in calling meetings for the sake of it," said BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon.

"But there will be surprise about the apparent lack of urgency given the importance of the policing and justice issue.

"Agreement over the devolution of policing and justice would go a long way to mending the growing rift between the parties at Stormont where the Executive hasn't met for more than three months."

The Assembly and Executive Review committee was asked by the first and deputy first minister to further consider the issue. This week the Assembly renewed its mandate to look at the contentious issue.