UK to consider all options including direct rule for N.Ireland if talks fail

LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) - The British government will have to consider all options including direct rule from London if talks to resolve a political crisis in Northern Ireland and set up a new devolved government there fail, Northern Ireland minister James Brokenshire said on Tuesday.

A deadline to resolve the crisis and form a new Northern Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) executive passed on Monday without agreement. Brokenshire gave the parties more time to talk, but said the window of opportunity was short.

"We do not want to see a return to direct rule," he told parliament. "But should talks not succeed in their objective, the government will have to consider all options.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison)