Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson are expected to travel to Downing Street today as Sinn Fein and the DUP edge closer to a deal on policing and justice.

The latest in a series of meetings with Gordon Brown follow a positive reception from the Northern Ireland power-sharing partners to the Prime Minister's proposals shifting security responsibility from London to Belfast.

Financing the settlement has been a major sticking point in recent weeks, while yesterday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Assembly members her country was ready to help in whatever way it could.

After discussions on policing and justice at Downing Street on Thursday Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness said all sides were on the cusp of agreement. First Minister Mr Robinson said recent negotiations with the Prime Minister had won millions of pounds more for the policing and justice budget.

Tensions over the issue rose over recent weeks when Mr McGuinness publicly criticised Mr Robinson. He challenged the DUP leader to face-down elements in the DUP who are opposed to a deal with republicans and who fear losing support in the forthcoming general election.

The DUP leader has said his party is united and stressed he would not be rushed on devolving policing and justice, which he said was a life and death issue that had to be handled with care.

The DUP has also handed Mr Brown a letter demanding movement on a series of issues to help bolster confidence in the unionist community.

The demands include a call for the scrapping of the Parades Commission, the retention of the police reserve which is scheduled to be phased out, plus moves to allow former security force members easier access to personal protection weapons.

The republican source has claimed that the police and court service financial requirements had been met by Downing Street.

He added that a government commitment was now in place to fund a new police training college in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

Another four military sites are to be passed to the Assembly, including a former base at Omagh, Co Tyrone, where there are plans to construct a cross-community schools campus.