'Orange Card' Slammed

Political manoeuvring by the Tory party has been criticised by the man bidding to become his party's new leader.

The SDLP Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell has accused Conservative Leader David Cameron of engaging in "naked sectarianism" by exploiting the policing and justice crisis to play the "orange card ahead of the forthcoming Westminster election".

The South Belfast MP and candidate to take the SDLP reins when Mark Durkan steps down this year, said: "Orchestrating secret back room deals to further their own selfish ends is nothing new from the Tories."

Referring to weekend 'secret' meetings between the DUP, Ulster Unionists and the Conservatives, he said: "If David Cameron thinks he can interfere and manipulate the situation in the north for party advantage, to the exclusion of nationalists and the SDLP he is sorely mistaken.

"The devolution of policing and justice can only be done and will only work if all parties are around the table and all are committed to inclusion and fairness.

"It will not be concocted in secret sectarian Unionist meetings in obscure hollow halls in London. The SDLP won't allow it," he fumed.

"If Cameron is serious about portraying himself as an honest broker in Northern Ireland's politics, he needs to act as one," the senior politician continued.

"Everyone can see this for what it is, a cynical attempt by the Tories to grab a few orange votes ahead of the forthcoming Westminster election."

However, claims the meeting centred on agreeing Westminster voting arrangements in the event of a hung parliament at the General Election have been flatly denied.

See: Unionists' Secret Tory Talks Revealed

(BMcC/GK)