Justice budget plan 'in autumn'

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness held talks with Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown is expected to present the first and deputy first ministers with a budget plan for the devolution of policing and justice in the autumn.

The prime minister held talks on Thursday with Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness in Downing Street.

Afterwards, Mr Robinson said Mr Brown would present figures in September.

He said if the finances were satisfactory he would hope to be able to recommend the devolution of policing to the unionist community .

The DUP leader said his party would undertake a consultation process so the community knew what devolution involved.

The deputy first minister said he remained confident that devolution of policing and justice could be achieved by the end of the year.

Earlier Mr McGuinness, Mr Robinson and their Executive colleagues Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson held discussions at Number 11 Downing Street on the Presbyterian Mutual Society.

A working group involving officials is to report back in September.

The society, which was set up in 1982 as an investment vehicle for members of the church, collapsed in November affecting 9,500 investors.

Enterprise Minister Ms Foster said the meeting on the issue had been useful.

"Whilst there is no legal obligation upon the prime minister to act, I am impressed that he has recognised there is a moral obligation to assist people in Northern Ireland who have seen the Northern Rock and the Dunfermline Building Society savers protected," she said.

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