Sinn Fein wrong on agreement: DUP

Policing has been a dividing issue between the DUP and Sinn Fein

The DUP leader Ian Paisley has accused Sinn Fein of trying to renegotiate the St Andrews Agreement.

Sinn Fein is due to hold another meeting this weekend to consider its policing policy.

Mr Paisley said there was no requirement in the St Andrews deal for his party to agree to the devolution of justice by May next year.

Sinn Fein has been keen for the DUP to commit to a time limit but the DUP has refused.

Mr Paisley said the agreement contained "only an aspiration of the two governments that they would like it done".

"People should understand there is not a line in the St Andrews report at all about saying that, at a certain date, we must hand over these powers and work a joint system in security," he said.