Brian Walker

It might help to go back to fundamentals to try to break the deadlock over parades, or at least understand it. The problem is, I don’t know what the fundamentals are. No, I don’t mean waffle about “communty confidence,” hidden agendas, fears, tactics, zero sum games, whataboutery or your favourite conspiracy theory. Just the straight up issues on the ground. You’d have thought that Sinn Fein who are so keen to have J&P powers transferred would be desperate for their …

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In the interests of fairness and to show we’re not beating up on the hard pressed President, here in full is Gerry Adams ‘s reply to the Sunday Tribune allegations, Not through a proxy or spokesperson, but in his own words. What Suzanne Breen failed to say was that neither she nor the Sunday Tribune had asked me any questions. Neither did they ask me for an interview and no attempts were made to contact me. Neither Suzanne Breen nor …

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Eamonn’s scoop about “secret talks” could eventually open up a whole new vista for unionism, if they came off. But one side’s new vista is the other’s deep gloom. If a pan- unionist pact with the Conservatives develops, fears of unionist triumphalism will consolidate nationalism around Sinn Fein and threaten the likely new SDLP leader’s seat in South Belfast. However if they don’t make a hash of it, I contend that unionist consolidation could significantly enhance the chances of stable …

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Update at 15 15 pm. Earlier today, Belfast solicitors issued a statement on behalf of an alleged child abuse victim accusing the Sunday Tribune of breach of trust ( see lawyer’s statment below the fold). This afternoon in the following statement, The Sunday Tribune stood by its story. “Sinn Fein has claimed that the Sunday Tribune, in its coverage of the sex abuse cover-up in the republican movement, is engaged in a campaign to smear the party and its president …

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Praise be where praise is due. In the News Letter, while maintaining silence on the substance of the talks, Sammy Wilson has made a mature and balanced case for working hard to save the Assembly. Deadlines are useful but mustn’t be mandatory. Then he issues warnings to both sides. So while some on the unionist side may argue that we should not be concerned about the consequences of no resolution of the policing and justice issue even if it collapses …

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Mick is the latest to suggest that the mainstream local media have been soft pedalling in pursuit of Gerry Adams’s fast moving goalposts in order not to “rock public opinion” at a very sensitive time politically. The charge is certainly worth examining. I don’t want to be dogmatic about it, still less a knee- jerk defender of the mainstream media over their coverage. But my first problem with the argument is this. Why be soft on Adams and hard on …

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Iris Robinson’s “predatory” behaviour won’t affect the prospects for women in NI politics, according to two people well versed in women’s roles, Susan McKay, now director of the National Women’s council of Ireland and Yvonne Galligan Director of the Centre for the advancement of Women at Queen’s. The two gender studies experts were being interviewed about the Iris fallout on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Not that those prospects are all that glowing, they might have added. Nor did they get …

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Regardless of the Robinsons, the rules for permissible donations to political parties in Northern Ireland has lagged behind the rest of the UK for the catch-all reason of the Troubles. Donations to parties ( rules for individual candidates are separate ) were regulated for the first time only from November 2007. Donations over £1000 have to be reported quarterly to the Electoral Commission. Unlike GB , names of donors are still kept secret from the public for fear of intimidation. …

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Talking of further allegations, I’m confused about the Castlebawn business. Was there a conflict of interest over Castlebawn in Iris Robinson’s Assembly question and her husband’s written answer way back in 2002? Peter Robinson appears to be telling Liam Clarke in the Sunday Times that it was the DUP and not the Robinsons personally who paid Ken Campbell for the Newtownards advice centre premises which were sold on to a consortium linked to the former Castlebawn developer five years later. …

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A personal tragedy but was it also a public scandal? Looking back, despite the effing and blinding at unionists and huggy kissy for the bugged McGuinness, I doubt if her condition made much difference to what happened. It doesn’t change my verdict that she blew a gale of fresh air into the stuffy male chauvinist circles of NI politics. Keeping this terrible secret from everybody except her husband must have added greatly to her burden, yet she had the time …

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It’s at least encouraging that they’re still talking and expect to keep talking beyond the weekend. Although the pressure is on, nobody ought to expect quick results. I assume that the shape of the talks is different from the old “ nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” formula adopted for the GFA and St Andrews. The issues are more focused on the points of deadlock. Surely it’s obvious the parties should leave parades aside for another day when J&P …

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Update Full version is up now. Meanwhile, it’s back to human interest. Ulster’s answer to the Sun’s Jane Moore, Gail Walker – (no relation) – has landed an exclusive with the (partly) stood down First Minister. The Bel Tel is restricting access to paying customers for the time being. The harbinger of things to come? The sales boost if there is one should give some indication of Peter’s survival chances – not that Peter had any other reason for giving …

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The opening shots have been fired in a political battle over a British Bill of Rights. This will affect Northern Ireland, whether or not a local Bill is ever introduced. In the Guardian Charlie Falconer, the last Lord Chancellor to head the judiciary, attacks the Conservative aim of scrapping the present Human Rights Act, in order to reduce the influence in UK courts of the European Court of Human Rights, so often the last resort for civil liberties appeals. The …

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Sinn Féin minister Gerry Kelly urged against any comments that might unsettle the negotiations and claimed he had warned Mr Woodward against commenting publicly. Arlene Foster “…this is really the last piece of the jigsaw and we want to make sure that we’re doing it in the right way.” It may be turning out to be another great cliffhanger but – granted I’ve a vested interest – the news blanket worries me. It’s raising expectations and may be a sign …

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How fascinating to see Jim Allister paying into rising expectations of a deal. He characterises J&P thus: I must, therefore, warn unionists to prepare for a catastrophic roll-over by the DUP on meeting Sinn Féin’s strategic demand of ending British control of policing and justice – the two most potent symbols of sovereignty in any nation. So Jim has been an integrationist all along! But take a look at Scotland Jim, with its separate legal system lasting several centuries before …

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Mick shouldn’t beat himself up too much about his unfulfilled predictions. Deadlocks by their very nature burst open when they don’t stick. Remember all the drama when deadlock turned to breakthrough or vice versa so many times – over powersharing in 1974, voluntary coalition in 1975, the promised land of the GFA 1998, that dreadful day in October 2003 when the First Assembly finally imploded before our eyes at Hillsborough, when a hapless and muddy General de Chastelain couldn’t give …

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It’s never right to judge creative works for their local authenticity but how hard it is to resist. Have they got the items on the 1930s dresser exactly right in the latest production of Lughnasa? Maybe it’s worthier somehow to get excited at the depiction of universal themes outside your old half door. Nevertheless I’ll try to avoid both next week when I’m off to see the latest Frank McGuinness, Greta Garbo Came to Donegal at the dear old Tricycle …

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As is being discussed on Radio Ulster, Sinn Fein are part of a process to seize the opportunity of the bizarre turn of events to make a breakthrough. On Newsnight, Shaun Woodward has just said: There have been three lengthy meetings today on the issue ( of J&P)… between the DUP and Sinn Fein and there will be the further meetings tomorrow… There are many politicians who looked over the precipice… and are now engaged on the issues.. Nobody can …

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