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Sinn Fein blockade 'is blackmail' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has accused Sinn Féin of blackmail over its "blockade" of the Stormont Executive. | |
He made the comments at a meeting at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. | |
He said the activities of local politicians were in contrast with those of others in a time of global financial crisis. | |
Earlier, Martin McGuinness said it was highly unlikely that the Executive would meet on Thursday. | |
The devolution of policing powers has been a contentious issue between the DUP and Sinn Féin. | The devolution of policing powers has been a contentious issue between the DUP and Sinn Féin. |
"Sinn Féin is not going to play second fiddle to a DUP agenda in these institutions," the deputy first minister said. | "Sinn Féin is not going to play second fiddle to a DUP agenda in these institutions," the deputy first minister said. |
Last week First Minister Peter Robinson said it was imperative the Executive should meet as planned on Thursday. | Last week First Minister Peter Robinson said it was imperative the Executive should meet as planned on Thursday. |
Mr McGuinness said that the situation was "very serious" but that the institutions could only work on a basis of "partnership and equality". | Mr McGuinness said that the situation was "very serious" but that the institutions could only work on a basis of "partnership and equality". |
"In the course of recent days we have been engaged in a number of discussions with the DUP aimed at agreeing an agenda for an executive meeting on Thursday," he said. | "In the course of recent days we have been engaged in a number of discussions with the DUP aimed at agreeing an agenda for an executive meeting on Thursday," he said. |
"Agreeing an agenda means that all issues of concern need to be put on the agenda - not simply those of concern to the unionist community or the DUP. | "Agreeing an agenda means that all issues of concern need to be put on the agenda - not simply those of concern to the unionist community or the DUP. |
"Despite our efforts this has not succeeded and no progress has been made." | "Despite our efforts this has not succeeded and no progress has been made." |
A DUP spokesman said he was "disappointed" by Mr McGuinness's remarks. | A DUP spokesman said he was "disappointed" by Mr McGuinness's remarks. |
"If he is talking about a serious situation, it is a situation of his own making - we want to see the executive going ahead," he said. | "If he is talking about a serious situation, it is a situation of his own making - we want to see the executive going ahead," he said. |