O'Neill Slams UK Govt For Failing To Achieve Power-Sharing Deal

Sinn Féin leader in the north, Michelle O'Neill, has slammed Prime Minister Theresa May and her government for failing to achieve a deal to restore the Assembly.

In a statement to Westminster earlier this week, NI Secretary of State James Brokenshire said an agreement is still "achievable".

However, it is understood the crisis is set to drift on through the summer, with any deal before autumn now unlikely.

Michelle O'Neill said Sinn Féin are "disappointed but not surprised" that a deal has not been done.

"This constitutes a monumental failure by Theresa May and her government," she said.

"Decades of work are being put on hold to keep her in power. This is a consequence of the British Prime Minister supporting the DUP and the DUP supporting her.

"It should be very clear by now that a restored Assembly and Executive is only sustainable and tenable if it is based on fairness, respect and equality.

"The rights-based issues, whether they be Acht na Gaeilge, a Bill of Rights, marriage equality or the rights of families to coroners' inquests are not solely Sinn Féin demands."

DUP Leader Arlene Foster said: "We are disappointed we don’t have an agreement this afternoon.

"We are going to keep working at it through the summer and hopefully we can come to an agreement later on in the year."

(LM/MH)