Serious and Sensitive
That's how Gerry Adams described the state of play in his party's negotiations with the DUP about an hour ago. This follows Sammy Wilson talking about last night's meeting as productive.
Although the politicians insist they aren't going to give a running commentary on the discussions contrast Gerry Adams' remarks with a statement Sinn Fein released last week in which they insisted a round of talks inside Stormont Castle had made no progress whatsoever.
Alongside the Sinn Fein-DUP talks other local parties were brought to Stormont House where the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward presumably asked them to give any deal a fair wind. Sir Reg Empey told Mr Woodward that the Ulster Unionists would have to see the shape of a deal on policing and justice before committing to supporting it. And he has grave concerns that any agreement could appear that it has been negotiated by the DUP under duress.
Certainly the axe Sinn Fein has been holding over the DUP's neck, by threatening a snap election, just got a lot sharper as a result of the Robinson scandal. So will a collective DUP leadership (Mr Robinson has not been involved in the latest rounds of talks) be able to bring around their malcontents? And if there is a deal will anyone credit the Spotlight team for a breakthrough in the peace process? Somehow I doubt it.
On the topic of the DUP leadership, Sammy Wilson was just asked if Peter Robinson would lead the DUP into the next election. He answered that "Peter Robinson is still the leader of this party. And the leader of this party will lead this party into the next election." Mr Wilson is a Robinson friend and one of the first to come out in his support after the Spotlight programme. So maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt. But re-read that sentence and it works logically no matter who the leader is whenever an election is called.
On the Daily Politics, Andrew Neil asked Arlene Foster about Mr Robinson and she paraphrased Gerry Adams, insisting "he hasn't gone away, you know". Mr Adams, of course, was talking about the Provisional IRA which might not have gone completely away. But it did stand down and disarm.
By the way watch 91Èȱ¬ Newsline 6.30 tonight for an amusing doorstep on Ian Paisley Junior at the launch of the North West 200. Safe to say, it's bad enough trying to find your coat off a rack, without doing it whilst trying to field questions about your party leader from a reporter.
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