The Conservatives are set to urge Northern Ireland's political parties not to allow violence to overtake the stalled peace process.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Quentin Davies will call on all sides to prevent the political vacuum caused by the suspension of the assembly's elections not to be filled by violence.

Visiting Ulster on Monday, Davies will meet with key players in the peace process including Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein, David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, SDLP leader Mark Durkan and Robert Saulters of the Orange Order.

His visit to the province comes at a time of heightened tensions because of the looming start of the marching season and the recent murder of loyalist Alan McCullough.

The shooting has been linked to the UFF, which has been locked in a bloody feud over control of loyalist areas that has cost dozens of lives .