Mediator for North power-sharing row

NORTHERN Secretary Karen Bradley is ‘actively considering’ how and when an external mediator could play a ‘constructive’ role in attempts to re-establish formal powersharing talks.

She told the House of Commons yesterday the idea will be raised with the various parties, with a meeting planned today in Belfast and talks with the Government here tomorrow.

Devolved government in the North collapsed in January last year following a breakdown of relations between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

The UK parliament this week approved emergency legislation to give civil servants in the North greater clarity over what decisions they can take in the absence of ministers, and enables UK government ministers to make a number of stalled public appointments.

Mrs Bradley told MPs: ‘I’m actively considering how and when external facilitation could play a constructive role in efforts to restore political dialogue. This will form part of my discussions with the parties.’

North Down MP Sylvia Hermon earlier said she would be ‘fascinated’ to know how much it has cost to pay MLAs their full salary since the collapse of power-sharing.

She said: ‘Does the minister honestly believe that was money well spent when our education budget and health budget in Northern Ireland are so stretched?’

Westminster said this year that MLAs’ pay would be cut from £49,500 to £35,888.