SDLP and Sinn Féin in London for fresh talks

Delegations from the SDLP and Sinn Féin have met with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair today in London for another round of high level talks aimed at breaking the political impasse in Northern Ireland.

The stage has been set again for another attempt to revive the power sharing institutions which were suspended last October following a row over allegations of IRA activity, including intelligence gathering at Stormont.

Speaking ahead of their meeting Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said unionist criteria for the restoration of the devolved institutions were too high.

“The ability of the Sinn Fein leadership and the two governments to devise a plan to sort out political crises’ has happened quite a few times in the last four years,” he said.

“Maybe it can be done again but even if we do that, the bar which the unionists have raised is very, very, very high indeed.

“I don’t see any sense at this time of any section of unionism running into the elections prepared to engage on a pro-Agreement axis.”

The SDLP were also scheduled to meet with Mr Blair earlier today.

Speaking ahead of their meeting, SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: “We have said all along that what we need to achieve - not just dealing with all the confidence issues - but a clear implementation pack that all the parties are signed up to.”

The Ulster Unionists held meetings with the prime minister yesterday at Downing Street.

Speaking afterwards UUP leader David Trimble expressed doubts over whether elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly should take place in May.

(AMcE)