Officials look at holding devolution talks away from Stormont By Gareth Gordon

BBC News NI Political Correspondent Published duration 24 December 2017

image copyright Google MAPS image caption It is understood Rockliffe Hall, a five-star luxury golf and spa resort near Darlington, is one of the venues being sounded out as a talks venue

Officials are exploring the possibility of taking vital talks aimed at restoring devolution away from Stormont, the BBC has learned.

It is understood at that least two venues have been sounded out, one in Northern Ireland the other in the North East of England.

One is the four star Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle County Down.

The other is Rockliffe Hall a five star luxury golf and spa resort near Darlington.

It is owned by Middlesbrough Football Club which has its training facilities there.

Northern Ireland has been without a functioning devolved government since January.

However, it is not clear if the plan to move talks away from Stormont Castle in early January will happen.

image copyright Google image caption Another venue being considered is the four star Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle County Down

But it is one of a range of options being considered.

Stormont Castle was the location for four protracted rounds of negotiations between the DUP and Sinn Fein this year.

All ended in failure.

However the DUP say they are prepared to go into a restored Executive immediately and resolve remaining issues then.

In the past negotiations involving the parties have been taken outside Northern Ireland to venues including St Andrews in Scotland and Leeds Castle in Kent.