The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is in talks with republicans who are demanding a swift transfer of the law and order powers.

With speculation that a deal could be possible, rival politicians and even Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward have been warned to avoid comments that might make agreement more difficult.

The DUP's under-pressure leader Peter Robinson has stepped down temporarily as First Minister over the scandal surrounding his wife Iris, who was revealed as having lobbied property developers for cash to set up a business for her teenage lover.

There are claims the party, which had previously said it would not be rushed by republican pressure for agreement, is now focused on securing a deal with Sinn Fein to avoid a collapse of the Assembly and the threat of a snap election.

Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly urged against any comments that might unsettle the negotiations and claimed he had warned Mr Woodward against commenting publicly.

"I had a meeting with Shaun Woodward on Tuesday and what I told him was that sometimes they are better not doing publicity," he said.

"He and the British Government need to remember they are the guarantors of some of the obligations of the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement, and maybe they want to keep their eye to what their obligations are and leave us to try and sort this out. He doesn't always have to have a soundbite."

But with the British and Irish governments due to meet in London on Thursday to discuss political progress, Mr Woodward said: "It's a very important time for all unionists to realise that now is the time to complete devolution. There is an urgency, which is why this needs to be addressed in these coming days and weeks."

The Secretary of State said final agreement was a matter for the Northern Ireland parties.