Haass due in London for Downing St talks

Former US diplomat Richard Haass is to meet British officials in Downing St today.

Dr Haass, who is chairing all-party talks on flags and parades in Northern Ireland, has until Christmas to deliver recommendations on how to deal with contentious issues left outstanding from the 1998 Belfast agreement.

Relations between powersharing partners the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin have become increasingly strained in recent times following a summer of street violence linked to loyal order marches and protests.

Speaking yesterday, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said the British and Irish governments were working together to support the process and help build consensus.

“This is a government which is entirely engaged in the process because... I believe it represents an important way forward in resolving the continuing tensions,” she said.

Mrs Villiers has met Dr Haass twice and had telephone conversations, while her officials have also had contact with the former Northern Ireland envoy.

Dr Haass held more than 30 engagements last month with politicians from the five largest parties in the devolved administration at Stormont, senior clergy, the Orange Order and business leaders and is expected to attend further meetings in Belfast, London and Dublin this month.

Northern Ireland has endured a particularly turbulent year, with months of loyalist rioting linked to the Union flag dispute and parading controversies.

Political relations in the political power-sharing institutions frayed after DUP First Minister Peter Robinson withdrew his support for a controversial peace centre on the site of the former paramilitary prison at the Maze.

Senior Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said the situation at Stormont had reached crisis point but the claim was denied by unionists.

PA