Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, wrote yesterday to the three political parties in the Executive asking them to sign up to the proposed new Police Board.
Dr Reid yesterday met the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, and the DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley, to discuss policing. Sinn Fein and the two unionist parties have so far refused to nominate members to the Police Board. There was speculation last night that both unionist parties were on the verge of signing up.
It is hoped that if the policing issue can be resolved, a way might be found to prevent the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, due on Sunday. If not, the British government will be faced with calling new elections or renegotiating the Belfast Agreement.
The change of name from RUC to Police Service of Northern Ireland and other proposed changes cannot take place until the board is in place. The SDLP is the only party to agree to nominate to the board.
Senior British and Irish officials are due to have discussions in London today. Sinn Fein's North Belfast Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, attended a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, yesterday morning. The meeting had been requested by Sinn Fein last month to discuss the policing issue. Mr Kelly said afterwards that Sinn Fein would continue to highlight their "substantive concerns" to get them resolved.
"We are committed and determined to achieve an acceptable and accountable police service representative of the community as a whole," he said.
He said the SDLP's and the Irish Government's support for the policing proposals had effectively "sundered the broad consensus that had emerged on this issue - based on a desire to see the Patten recommendations fully implemented. This is a matter of grave disappointment".
The meeting with Mr Cowen lasted for an hour. It is not known if the terrorist attacks in the US were discussed, although it may have been raised during private discussions between the two men.