Policing talks end without a deal

The DUP have given the PM an eight- page dossier of requests

Downing Street talks between Northern Ireland's political leaders and Gordon Brown on the devolution of policing powers have ended without agreement.

First Minister Peter Robinson said more work was needed on financial issues and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said talks were at a "crucial point".

Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing over when powers should be devolved.

While Sinn Fein wants it to happen immediately, the DUP has said it will not happen before Christmas.

"It's at a critical point, but I believe all this is doable. I'm more convinced of that now in the aftermath of the meeting," Mr McGuinness said.

It is understood that the DUP submitted an eight-page dossier to Mr Brown.

Besides looking for more money for policing, the party is also seeking the retention of the police reserve and the freeing up of the supply of personal protection weapons to former members of the security forces.

It is understood the dossier also calls for the implementation of a recommendation by Lord Ashdown that the Parades Commission should be abolished.

Sinn Fein has dismissed what it described as a "DUP wishlist".

"These side issues have no place in this negotiation," said Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd.

"What the talks in Downing Street are about is finance. The ending of the full time reserve is a Patten (policing reform report) requirement and we fully expect the new Chief Constable to deliver on it."

BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the DUP dossier could add to the irritable relations between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

"Clearly this is of a different order from saying 'we want more money for the policing budget' - that is something on which Sinn Fein and the DUP agree," he said.

"Whereas the Sinn Fein line on some of these issues like the full time reserve and personal protection weapons is rather different from the DUP - so one can sense there is room for some conflict."