The Ulster Unionist Party is not opposed to the devolution of Policing and Justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly: but only when all of the circumstances are right.

Sir Reg Empey MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has given an initial response to Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness's recent meeting with Gordon Brown concerning the devolution of Policing and Justice.

In a statment Sir Reg said:

';Speaking after yet another meeting with Gordon Brown, Peter Robinson said, regarding the devolution of Policing and Justice: 'I want the whole process to be entirely open and transparent. That is why at every stage I have placed in the public domain any and all agreements I have reached. There are no hidden deals or understandings.'

As the Northern Ireland Assembly term came to an end yesterday, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Sir Reg Empey has said that neither it, nor the Executive are functioning as they should.

Ulster Unionist Party Officer Philip Smith has responded to comments in the Letters Page of the Newsletter by Tom Smith which have been critical of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Ulster Unionist Minister Michael McGimpsey has called on communities to join together in rejecting and condemning the disgraceful racial attacks in Belfast.

The Social Services Minister was speaking as he visited the families at the Ozone Leisure Centre, Ormeau Embankment:

Michael, ';I utterly condemn this outrageous attack on these Roma families. I am appalled at this situation. There is no place in Northern Ireland for this kind of racist violence and abuse. We value the contribution that people from all nationalities make to the life of Northern Ireland. Everyone who lives here deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

';I am very encouraged that so many of the neighbours and local community groups in south Belfast have rallied to support the families and show their disgust at such appalling acts of intimidation. All communities must join together in condemning this disgraceful behaviour.

';The health and social care sector will continue to work with the families, providing them with the support and care they need.

Ahead of the European Election on Thursday, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Sir Reg Empey and Leader of the Conservative Party David Cameron have issued the following joint statement.

Jim Nicholson - Nomination ';This is truly historic in Northern Ireland politics. The two oldest parties in the United Kingdom have combined their talents and common interests to offer the electorate here a new political and electoral force of 'Conservatives and Unionists'.

The Conservative Party and The Ulster Unionist Party have confirmed their willingness and joint determination to work closely together to bring normal UK politics to Northern Ireland by providing the electorate with a new, modern, dynamic political and electoral force of Conservatives and Unionists.

Ok then, let me ask again: how thoroughly, comprehensively, fundamentally and serially incompetent does a minister have to be before he/she can be removed from office? I asked that question twice last year, after Catriona Ruane had entertained us in the Assembly to her holier-than-thou-Maria-von-clap-Trapp homilies on the importance of looking after children. Yet today, as the transfer process has collapsed around her ears and secondary schools are opting for the educational equivalent of a run on the banks, Ms Ruane is still in office, still incompetent and utterly, utterly oblivious to the damage she has done.

';Catriona Ruane has proved herself to be an extraordinarily inept Minister of Education. Far from providing the 'clarity and certainty' she has rattled on about say May 2007, she has, in fact, enveloped the entire transfer process in a fog of uncertainty, guff, jargon and downright nonsense.