SF pull plug on Stormont talks
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THE future of the North’s powersharing government was plunged into further crisis yesterday as Sinn Fein pulled the plug less than 24 hours before the talks deadline.
The party said it would not nominate leader Michelle O’neill for Deputy First Minister, signalling a breakdown. It added no progress on issues around equality and rights as well as legacy issues were behind the move. Northern leader Ms O’neill said: “This talks process has run its course. “When the extent of the RHI scandal became apparent and the First Minister refused to step aside, Martin Mcguinness acted and made clear there could be no return to the status quo. “Sinn Fein is still intent on honouring our mandate and agreements made. We want to see the institutions restored but when we said there will be no return to the status quo we meant it.” DUP leader Arlene Foster added the talks failed to make “sufficient progress”. She said: “The DUP was ready to form a new administration without preconditions so as to allow us to have a budget and to deal with the many matters that currently face the people of Northern Ireland. “Throughout the course of Saturday Sinn Fein behaved as if they were the only participants whose mandate mattered. “This cannot and will not be the basis for a successful outcome. “Negotiations will only ever be successful when parties are prepared to be flexible to secure outcomes.” While the next step after today’s 4pm deadline remains unclear, Secretary of State James Brokenshire insisted he is “determined” to see a power-sharing government formed. In a statement he made no mention of the possibility of another election or the return of direct rule. He said: “Three weeks ago the people of Northern Ireland voted overwhelmingly for effective, devolved, power-sharing government. “Since then I have been working intensively with the political parties and with the Irish Government to find a way forward, including putting forward a number of proposals. “I am determined to see a functioning Executive in place at Stormont. I have spoken to the Prime Minister and this remains the UK Government’s priority.” The UUP’S Tom Elliott described the talks as lacking any structure. He said: “It was a clear indication the bigger parties are even more dismissive of the smaller ones than ever, and this demonstrates their inability to move away from their old ways. “Unless there is a massive U-turn in terms of attitude from the two largest parties, then Northern Ireland could be in for a period of prolonged drift. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the collapse was a “bitter disappointment” and added: “Those who came to the ballot box earlier this month will now be very angry and are right to be.” Alliance leader Naomi Long insisted parties must fight for an extension to the talks process. She said: “Neither an election nor direct rule will solve anything.”