Brown to visit Ulster

Updated 21.53 Tue Sep 09 2008
Keywords: Northern Ireland

Gordon Brown is to meet Northern Ireland's political leaders to help resolve divisions in the power-sharing government.

The Prime Minister is expected to be in Belfast on Tuesday, when he will meet party leaders at Stormont.

Republicans are pressing for progress on the issue but unionists are insisting it is too early for the fledgling government to take responsibility for law and order

The visit coincides with talks between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and republicans Sinn Fein.

The two parties are divided over issues including the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Republicans are pressing for progress on the issue but Unionists are insisting it is too early for the fledgling government to take responsibility for law and order.

Sinn Fein has threatened to withdraw ministers from government if the DUP does not agree to move forward.

Mr Brown is expected to meet leaders of the Alliance Party, a neutral third party who could provide a candidate for the post of justice minister, keeping the key job out of the hands of both Sinn Fein and the DUP.

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