Late night deal saves Northern Ireland power-sharing government

Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson said today his party's elected representatives at the Stormont Assembly had backed a deal with Sinn Fein to save Northern Ireland's power-sharing government. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and taoiseach Brian Cowen were now expected to travel to Belfast later this morning to put their seal on the deal. The deal on policing, justice and parades comes after nearly two weeks of round-the-clock talks at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down. Flanked by DUP enterprise minister Arlene Foster and finance minister Sammy Wilson, Robinson said all members of his party were behind the proposals. Emerging from the two-hour meeting, he said: "The assembly group asked questions and considered the matter and have unanimously supported the way forward. "Everyone present believes this is consistent with our election manifesto and pledges that we have made to the people. "We look forward to going to Hillsborough when the document should be published."