The Democratic Unionist Party has not agreed to share power by the March deadline set for the Northern Ireland peace process, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness claimed this evening.
Mr McGuinness warned the DUP had failed to agree devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly by 2008 and that its position was not acceptable to republicans.
Mr McGuinness said: "It is obvious that Ian Paisley has not agreed with the assessment of the DUP's position set out by British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday.
"While everyone wants the process to continue to move forward it is pointless pretending the DUP has agreed to share power by March 26th or to the timetable for the transfer of powers on policing by May 2008 when they clearly have not," he added.
But the DUP insisted it had no more to do or say on the policing deadlock. The party's deputy leader Peter Robinson said the issue of potential political progress rested solely with Sinn Fein.
Unionists want to see Sinn Fein accept the participation of its supporters in policing. But Sinn Fein want a commitment from unionists on power-sharing prior to proceeding with the ardfheis on policing.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said today the North's politicians would be making a huge mistake if they let efforts to revive power-sharing slip because of a dispute over the transfer of policing and justice powers.
Mr Hain urged Sinn Féin and the DUP to keep their eyes on the big picture of what could be achieved over the coming months.
He warned that if they missed the opportunity in front of them, there would be no Assembly election on March 7th, or devolved government for many years.
Mr Hain said: "It is absolutely vital, at this initial moment, that everyone concentrates on the big picture.
"That is, for the first time in Northern Ireland's history, everybody is saying they are willing to share power with each other and, for the first time, everybody is saying they're willing to support the police.
"That is what Sinn Féin's executive recommended last week.
"If those seeking to derail the process — either dissenting republicans or dissenting unionists — get their way, Northern Ireland will miss this historic opportunity.
"When I say miss, I mean it, as there will be no question of there being an election or the restoration of an executive or Assembly on March 26th.
"For it to fall at this point, on the issue of a timeframe for the devolution of policing and justice, would be a big mistake."
Last week, Sinn Féin's ardcomhairle backed moves by Gerry Adams, to hold a special ardfheis on policing this month.
But the staging of a conference depended on the response of the two governments and the DUP to Mr Adams' move. On Wednesday, Sinn Féin cast doubt on whether the conference could go ahead, after they said they were still waiting for a positive response from the DUP.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair cut short his Christmas holiday in Miami and returned to Downing Street to deal with the latest wobble in Northern Ireland's bid to restore devolution.
In an attempt to break the impasse, the Mr Blair set out his interpretation of what was required from the DUP and Sinn Féin over the coming months, in the hope that it could persuade the two parties to press ahead with their plans in the knowledge that both were committed to it.
Sinn Féin's ardcomhairle has decided to meet next Tuesday to review the situation and study Mr Paisley's responses to recent republican statements and Mr Blair's initiative.
Mr Hain urged Sinn Féin members to bear in mind as they prepare to meet next Tuesday that the leadership of the DUP had said it was for the transfer of policing and justice powers, provided there was community confidence.
PA