IT IS too soon to tell if a deal will be clinched on devolving policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland, the leader of the Democratic Unionists warned yesterday.

Peter Robinson said the controversy had dogged the power-sharing government throughout its three-year existence, but he downplayed any sense of crisis.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Irish Premier Brian Cowen are chairing intensive negotiations involving all the main parties at Hillsborough Castle, in Co Down, in an attempt to break the stalemate.

Downing Street said it was “too early to speculate” about whether Mr Brown would spend a second night in Northern Ireland.

A spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach are both of the view that progress can be made.”

And Mr Robinson added: “It really isn't until the last few minutes or hours that you do get the sense that it (a deal) can be put together.

“I can’t say that there is going to be a deal, we are going to sit at the table . . . until we get the deal.”

Mr Robinson, who temporarily stood down as First Minister earlier this month, was flanked by acting First Minister Arlene Foster and Culture Minister Nelson McCausland at the gates of Hillsborough Castle.

He added that he was taking a measured approach in talks with government partner Sinn Fein, but said he would not be bullied into anything.

“This is not a party-political quibble, this isn’t a small issue, this is a critical issue. Policing and justice is a life or death issue, it is a sensitive issue, it is something that touches every member of our community.

“We need to ensure that everybody is going to be dealt with fairly, that we are not going to have urgent decisions that can’t be taken,” he said.