DUP LEADER Peter Robinson says he is under no pressure to agree to the imminent devolution of policing and justice to Stormont.
Ahead of Monday’s visit to Stormont by British prime minister Gordon Brown, the First Minister said he was confident a better deal on financing the transfer of powers would emerge.
Mr Brown is to meet the main party leaders on Monday as part of what is seen as a push to complete the devolution of powers.
The following week, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton will also visit Belfast.
The US wants to help inward investment and to promote Northern Ireland as politically stable. Successful justice devolution is being held up as proof of this.
However, Mr Robinson said last night he was in “no head-long rush” to devolve policing powers despite the concerted push by Sinn Féin.
“The DUP isn’t in the Assembly to deliver for Sinn Féin,” he said. “When the terms that we set out have been met, then we move on.
“This idea that you have to meet some deadlines and get some things done this week or next, I don’t accept that.”
He said things were done properly “when the conditions are right”.
Relations between Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness deteriorated sharply over the week following Sinn Féin accusations of DUP cold feet over the issue.
Mr Robinson hit back, claiming Mr McGuinness was guilty of a nasty and one-sided attack.
Sinn Féin junior minister Gerry Kelly yesterday stressed the need for a joint approach between the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.
He added that separate meetings with Mr Brown could not replace the fact that a joint deal would have to be concluded.