Stormont talks break down ahead of deadline

Parties had been trying to get an agreement on a number of issues after the snap election earlier this month, but now there is a Stormont stand-off on a scale which we haven't seen for a very long time.

In some ways a war of words has broken out between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Yesterday evening Michelle O'Neill said the talks had run their course.

Mrs O'Neill said: Today we have come to the end of the road.''

However the party's president Gerry Adams said he believed the conditions to go back into devolved government would be achieved in the future.

Monday is the deadline for nominating a first and deputy first minister at Stormont or else Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is obliged to intervene.

Fresh elections or direct rule from Westminster could be imposed within a reasonable period.

Mrs O'Neill added: "The talks process has run its course and Sinn Fein will not be nominating for the position of speaker or for the executive office tomorrow.''

On the other hand DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "Negotiations will only ever be successful when parties are prepared to be flexible in order to secure outcomes.

"To date there was little to suggest that Sinn Fein want to secure agreement.

"At every opportunity they have resisted involving the other parties and consequently no round table discussions were possible during this round of discussions.''

The deadline is 4pm Monday, and unless there is a dramatic turnaround the institutions will collapse - but for how long is anyone's guess.

James Brokenshire issued a statement last night saying he had spoken with the Prime Minister, adding he was determined to see a functioning Executive in place and he urged parties continue to work towards that goal.

But some would say those soft words are meaningless and aspirational at a point when things are so bad.

There can be no doubt this is a very serious crisis and the future of devolution is hanging in the balance.

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