Politicians clash over policing and justice

Stormont ministers agreed a draft bill that brings the transfer of the powers closer.

But while unionists and Sinn Fein have regularly clashed on the issue, it was the nationalist SDLP that objected to the latest development on Thursday.

The party's Social Development minister, Margaret Ritchie, said that the plan to step outside the normal power-sharing rules in appointing a new Justice Minister would effectively bar any nationalist from securing the post.

Sinn Fein and the DUP have agreed to temporarily step outside the normal selection process to ensure a candidate agreeable to a majority of people is selected, with the favourite being the cross-community Alliance Party.

But Ms Ritchie said: "What I am surprised at is the position of (Deputy First Minister) Martin McGuinness because he has acquiesced to the position of the DUP by allowing that no nationalist will be eligible for this position and no nationalist in Northern Ireland will be the Justice Minister for this country."

'Temporary'

But Sinn Fein Junior Minister Gerry Kelly said the move was temporary and was a necessary compromise to secure the prize of bringing policing under the control of local politicians.

He said: "What we want is an agreed minister in the interim to move that forward. That is what all this is about.

"Martin McGuinness is on record that we want a nationalist Justice Minister."

When challenged on the SDLP claims he said: "Do we want policing and justice transferred here or do we want the SDLP to sit whinging in the sidelines for the next five, 10, or 15 years."

Earlier on Thursday, the DUP warned talks on devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly could be in danger.

Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson questioned government commitment to negotiations on financing the transfer of the powers.

He said his party believes there is little point in continuing the talks with Downing Street unless progress is made soon.

Read Ken Reid's blog: Policing worries

The devolution of policing powers has been a source of major controversy, with Sinn Fein demanding the process be completed in line with an agreement between republicans and the DUP.

Mr Wilson said the talks on securing the necessary funding for the move were crucial to completing the process.

"Despite many months of detailed discussions on how justice would be financed, there is still no sign that the government is serious about providing the necessary funding," he said.

"There should be no doubt that unless this matter is resolved, it would be impossible to devolve the functions."