Robinson Calls On Cameron To Suspend Stormont

The First Minister of Northern Ireland has been unsuccessful in his attempt to extend his Assembly's summer recess by a month.

Peter Robinson had insisted the suspension of Stormont was necessary to enable urgent political talks aimed at saving the country's power-sharing executive.

The Democratic Unionist Party leader has since met David Cameron, and urged the British Government to intervene by suspending the Assembly.

Last week, his party called for Sinn Fein – once the political wing of the IRA – to be thrown out of Northern Ireland's government.

The country's political establishment has been shaken by the police claims that the Provisional IRA still exists and allegations that some of its members were involved in the killing of a father-of-nine last month.

Mr Robinson believes suspending the Assembly would allow all parties to focus on resolving the crisis, without the distraction of normal parliamentary business.

He said Mr Cameron and Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers "agreed with that analysis".

The First Minister's parliamentary proposal for Stormont to be suspended was voted down by Sinn Fein, its coalition partner, which is also now seeking an urgent meeting with Mr Cameron.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, who serves as Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, has said he would be prepared to participate in talks with the DUP – but said suspending the Assembly was not the right approach to take.

He added: "I think it would be an even worse idea if David Cameron were to effectively suspend these institutions and return direct rule to ministers for whatever time."

Last week, the Ulster Unionist Party left the power-sharing administration, and cited Sinn Fein's "lacking of credibility".

In an interview with Irish broadcaster RTE, Ms Villiers warned it would be a failure if the governance of Northern Ireland was to return to Westminster.

"The whole system really doesn't work unless there is trust and confidence between partners and there are questions to be answered," the MP added.

Other disagreements between parties in the Northern Irish Assembly also remain. Those disputes are centred on welfare reform, parades and flags in the region.