Party not ruling out justice role

The Alliance Party has not ruled out taking the policing and justice portfolio if the powers are devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Party leader David Ford had rejected the possibility of accepting the role last month.

PM Gordon Brown has urged the assembly to set a date for powers to be devolved, but Mr Ford said there are more pressing issues to be tackled

"No politician of any wit ever says never," he said.

"What I'm saying is that there are huge issues to be resolved in this society and it would do well if the concentration was on doing that - there are people who are desperately worried about their finances rather than the kind of party games that politicians are indulging in."