Republicans warn Tory Brokenshire is not acceptable for powersharing talks

DAVID YOUNG DEBORAH MCALEESE

independent mediator to chair the Stormont talks amid criticism his impartiality has been compromised by the anticipated Democratic Unionist/Conservative parliamentary deal.

He said the current process – which involves the UK and Irish governments chairing elements of the negotiations and the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service moderating other discussions – is the “right approach”.

His comments came as DUP leader Arlene Foster warned Stormont rivals participating in the faltering negotiations that the “time for unreasonable behaviour and unrealistic demands is over”.

The talks were paused over the General Election campaign.

With Northern Ireland having been without a powersharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January, a new three-week process to salvage devolution has begun in

Belfast. However, a major question mark hangs over the talks as a result of developments at Westminster.

Political rivals of the DUP are adamant the UK Government can no longer cast itself as a neutral facilitator in the process, given Theresa May’s intent to form a minority government with the help of a confidence-and-supply deal with the Unionist party.