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Hain facing committee questions UVF murder report 'uncomfortable'
(30 minutes later)
The secretary of state has told NI politicians 24 November is an "absolute deadline" for progress. A forthcoming report on the police handling of a UVF murder is likely to be "extremely uncomfortable" for the British state, Peter Hain has said.
At a meeting of the Preparation for Government Committee Peter Hain said, based on past experience, failure could mean no assembly for about ten years. The NI secretary was speaking at a meeting of the Preparation for Government Committee.
The committee is intended to prepare for a return to devolved government. The Police Ombudsman is due to publish a report on the handling by police of the murder of Raymond McCord Junior.
Meanwhile, the government has said Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will chair talks between the parties in St Andrew's, Scotland, from 11-13 October. Raymond McCord Junior, 22, a former RAF man, was beaten to death and his body dumped in a quarry in 1997.
Last month, Mr Hain told the Preparation for Government Committee he did not see their role as scrutinising government policy or quizzing ministers on expressed views. Mr Hain also paid tribute to the work of Nuala O'Loan as Ombudsman.
He told the committee when her successor is appointed the decision should not be subject to an assembly vote because it was important the Ombudsman was seen to be independent of political manipulation.
HAIN AT ASSEMBLY: LIVE FROM 1000 BSTHAIN AT ASSEMBLY: LIVE FROM 1000 BST
Click here to watch Peter Hain answer questions live at the Assembly in broadbandClick here to watch Peter Hain answer questions live at the Assembly in broadband
Click here to watch in narrow band qualityClick here to watch in narrow band quality
Mr Hain told assembly members that 24 November was an "absolute deadline" for progress.
He said, based on past experience, failure could mean no assembly for about ten years.
The committee is intended to prepare for a return to devolved government.
Meanwhile, the government has said Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will chair talks between the parties in St Andrew's, Scotland, from 11-13 October.
Last month, Mr Hain told the Preparation for Government Committee he did not see their role as scrutinising government policy or quizzing ministers on expressed views.
However, he later agreed to discuss law and order matters with committee members.However, he later agreed to discuss law and order matters with committee members.
Mr Hain has said attempts to restore devolution would probably be put back until 2009 if the 24 November deadline is missed.
He said the two governments were unlikely to make further attempts until after the next British and Irish general elections.
The secretary of state said intensive political talks involving the two prime ministers would be held outside Northern Ireland next month.
Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.Devolution was suspended in October 2002 over allegations of a republican spy ring.
The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson later admitted working as a British agent.The court case that followed collapsed and one of those charged, Denis Donaldson later admitted working as a British agent.