DUP-SF standoff 'may bring down Assembly'
A HIGH-STAKES standoff between the DUP and Sinn Fein leaves the Stormont government on the brink of collapse.
The DUP has decided it is to call Sinn Fein's bluff on a threat to walk away from power-sharing – if the devolution of policing and justice is not resolved.
Republicans are warning they will pull the plug, by not re-nominating Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister on Thursday – when Peter Robinson is due to be appointed First Minister.
They are demanding talks on the transfer of law and order powers first.
But the News Letter learned late last night that the DUP has taken an internal decision not to budge on policing and justice.
It will instead allow the institutions to fall – if Sinn Fein decides to push it – thus triggering fresh elections.
And in preparation, it yesterday appointed Jeffrey Donaldson as its director of elections and began devising a campaign strategy which will roll out from today.
Senior DUP sources said the party would "not be bullied or cajoled" by republicans on the matter of regional security.
And setting down a marker for Mr Robinson's reign, it was added that no unionist leader and "certainly not this unionist leader" will give in to Sinn Fein threats.
The shift into election mode is a clear signal that there will be no negotiations at this time.
The party "will not yield" on such an important matter.
But the move will be viewed as high-risk, given that the DUP is still in the process of dealing with the threat to its support base from the Traditional Unionist Voice.
Almost out of nowhere, a crisis has developed.
The News Letter understands that it had been intimated to the DUP over the last month that Sinn Fein had a problem.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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