Ford blasts Sinn Fein devolution threats

4.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Alliance Leader David Ford has hit out at Sinn Fein over the instability they are creating in the Executive after they threatened to collapse the Executive by failing to nominate a Deputy First Minister.

David Ford said: "This is a crisis of Sinn Fein and the DUP's making. When they engaged in grubby side deals with Blair in St Andrews, they removed the power of the Assembly to elect the First and Deputy First Minister. That power now lies solely with those two parties and they bear full responsibility for the current problems.

"A few weeks ago, on the first anniversary of devolution day, we were all told by Sinn Fein and the DUP how stable and great the Executive is. We know now that all this was hot air. Sinn Fein has delivered nothing in government and now they are threatening to collapse the Executive. Have they lost their minds?

"If this move is brinkmanship, it is extremely dangerous. If it is genuine, it is an indication of a massive crisis within the heart of the Executive."

ENDS