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Sinn Fein 'remarkable' says Blair Paisley denies Blair's DUP claim
(about 2 hours later)
The prime minister has said Sinn Fein's leadership is the most remarkable he had witnessed in modern politics. DUP leader Ian Paisley has denied he ever agreed that policing and justice powers would be transferred to the Northern Ireland Assembly by 2008.
Writing in Monday's Irish Times, Tony Blair said Sinn Fein's leadership was "real" and "historic". He was responding to an article written by the prime minister in which he said the DUP would share power in March if republicans backed the police.
Mr Paisley accused Tony Blair of misrepresenting his party's policy in the Belfast Telegraph and Irish Times.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams cautiously welcomed the article.
Mr Blair's assessment was that, if Sinn Fein delivered on policing, the DUP would accept devolution of justice powers by May 2008.
But Mr Paisley said he had never agreed there would be a transfer of justice powers within this time limit. He said he was "amazed" by the prime minister's statement.
Sinn Fein has been keen for the DUP to commit to a time limit but the DUP has refused.
Mr Paisley said the time had come for the government to face up to the IRA and make it clear that delivery was needed.
Downing Street has refused to comment on its private conversations with Northern Ireland parties.
Tony Blair said Sinn Fein's leadership was 'remarkable'
However, a spokesman said Mr Blair's assessment was based on what should happen if Sinn Fein delivered fully on its commitment to support the police and the rule of law.
In his article in Monday's papers, the prime minister also said that Sinn Fein's leadership was the most remarkable he had witnessed in modern politics.
The prime minister said it would be "crazy" for either Sinn Fein or the DUP to default on the St Andrews Agreement.The prime minister said it would be "crazy" for either Sinn Fein or the DUP to default on the St Andrews Agreement.
Gerry Adams gave the comments a cautious welcome, but Nigel Dodds, DUP, said his party did not have to give any commitments on policing and justice.
Mr Adams said his party was still awaiting a more positive response from the DUP following Mr Blair's statement last week about policing and power-sharing.Mr Adams said his party was still awaiting a more positive response from the DUP following Mr Blair's statement last week about policing and power-sharing.
He said he "cautiously welcomed" what Mr Blair had written in the article.He said he "cautiously welcomed" what Mr Blair had written in the article.
"He's obviously giving the DUP yet another chance," he said."He's obviously giving the DUP yet another chance," he said.
Gerry Adams said the DUP needed more space to respond"I think they need a little bit of space to respond in a positive way to what has been outlined." Political developments
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern have been meeting in Dundalk to discuss the latest political developments.Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern have been meeting in Dundalk to discuss the latest political developments.
In the Irish Times, Mr Blair said that provided Sinn Fein delivers on policing, he believed the DUP would share power by March and accept the devolution of justice by May next year. Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins is due to give evidence to the Stormont sub committee on policing and justice later.
Given it almost certainly will not be a DUP or Sinn Fein justice minister, Tony Blair argued that it would be utterly unreasonable not to meet the timetable.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins is due to give evidence to the Stormont sub committee on policing and justice later.
On Tuesday, Mr Hain is expected to appear before the same committee which is discussing potential ministerial models for a future justice department.On Tuesday, Mr Hain is expected to appear before the same committee which is discussing potential ministerial models for a future justice department.
Also on Tuesday, Sinn Fein is expected to hold a meeting to discuss its Ard Fheis.Also on Tuesday, Sinn Fein is expected to hold a meeting to discuss its Ard Fheis.