Brown to publish budget for devolved policing

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will today publish the budget for the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The move comes after he met the First and Deputy First minister in Downing Street yesterday. Deputy Martin McGuinness described the talks as "a good night's work". He said devolution was achievable by Christmas.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "We see getting public confidence as being an essential ingredient – it was a commitment in our manifesto, and part of the confidence-building is having confidence in the financial arrangements."

Sinn Fein has accepted the financial settlement, believed to be about £800m, but the DUP is insisting on further clarification on some aspects.

Mr Robinson wants to meet David Cameron to have it "Tory-proofed" against the Conservative leader possibly becoming the Prime Minister.