Both Sinn Fein and the DUP would rather that the focus is on the talks in Northern Ireland than their respective scandals

The talks on devolving peace and justice in Northern Ireland are in trouble. The Prime Minister has left without a deal being signed, having been there far longer than he intended. But as the talks continue, it is worth remembering that that both DUP and Sinn Fein are benefitting from the focus on this issue. For the DUP, it moves the conversation on from the financial and marital problems of the Robinsons. While Sinn Fein is glad that there isn’t more discussion of the child abuse scandal in the Adams family which as the revelations in The Sunday Tribune show is extremely serious and raises huge questions about Gerry Adams’ actions. (If this was any party other than Sinn Fein, this story would be getting far more attention than it is). So, in an odd way, it is in the interest of both the DUP and Sinn Fein for these talks to go on but to never totally break down. Having said that, there is increased speculation coming out of Northern Ireland tonight that Sinn Fein might soon pull the plug and collapse the executive citing unionist bad faith.