Alliance Leader blasts DUP and Sinn Féin for yet more stalling over devolution

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 12th Jan 2007

Alliance Leader David Ford has slammed the DUP and Sinn Féin for indulging yet again in timewasting and brinkmanship over moves to restore devolution. He stated that the latest problems in the process are indicative of the flaws in the government's current strategy. His comments come as Gerry Adams stated that the DUP have gone back on a deal regarding the devolution of policing and justice.

David Ford said: "This stalling and blaming illustrates how ineffective Sinn Féin and the DUP are. How can people logically imagine them leading the next Executive in 12 weeks time.

"This petty blame game illustrates how ludicrous the government's current strategy on restoring devolution is.

"The DUP and Sinn Féin are indulging in a badly choreographed dance, with the Prime Minister playing the role of the organ grinder.

"Its about time that the government realised that genuine power-sharing is not possible unless there is an inclusive process to help restore devolution. Things were bad enough in the past when Ulster Unionists and SDLP were in charge. There is currently no justification in the belief that the DUP and Sinn Féin can achieve anything at all."