US Envoy Gary Hart returns to Northern Ireland to assist talks

The US Envoy to Northern Ireland, former Senator Gary Hart, has returned to Belfast to help with the current political crisis at Stormont.

It was triggered when police said they believed IRA members were involved in the murder of a former IRA man in Belfast in August.

He is meeting NI Secretary Theresa Villiers and political leaders.

On Wednesday, Mr Hart is due to travel to Dublin to meet Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny.

He will also talk to the Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan.

His focus is on how the United States can best support constructive engagement in the current negotiations.

He said he would be working with all the parties "to foster an enduring peace in Northern Ireland".

Mr Hart last visited in March.

In September, discussions began at Stormont in a bid to resolve the current political row at Stormont.

Following the murder of Kevin McGuigan, Chief Constable George Hamilton said the IRA was still in existence, but added that the organisation was not engaged in terrorism.

Sinn Féin said the IRA no longer exists after it ordered an end to its armed campaign in 2005.

The claims by Mr Hamilton led to a breakdown in trust between Sinn Féin and unionist parties.

The Ulster Unionists withdrew from Northern Ireland's ruling executive, with three Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ministers also later resigning, and DUP leader Peter Robinson stepping aside as first minister.

Unionists agreed to join the talks when the government ordered an independent review of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.