DUP U-turn on Sinn Féin policy slammed

A former Northern Ireland Executive minister has claimed the Democratic Unionist Party are “grappling with a split in their ranks” over their policy on sharing government with Sinn Féin.

The accusation by former Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey has been made following remarks by DUP Foyle MLA William Hay yesterday on RTÉ Radio. Mr Hay indicated that if republicans gave certain guarantees, the DUP would sit down and do business with Sinn Féin “like any other constitutional party”. But he added, the party would have to be given assurances, particularly from nationalist paramilitaries that the war with the gun was over, and the process of genuine disarmament had well and truly begun.

However, Mr Hay’s comments have apparently been snubbed by officials from the DUP, who claimed that his comments were not a true reflection of the party’s policy.

“The party position is clear. We will not be sitting down talking to or negotiating with Sinn Féin before the election, during the election or after the election,” a source said.

Speaking today the south Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey said: “What clearer evidence do we need that the DUP is in disarray, with some prominent figures now moving closer to our position while others remain determined to treat as ‘traitors’ those who, in their eyes, would contemplate such political heresy?”

He added: “What this public spat tells us is that the DUP is now grappling with a split in the ranks.

“For the first time, that division is now clear for all to see. And for the first time, we see a DUP assembly man agreeing that under the leadership of David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist Party was right in the approach it adopted throughout this process.”

Sinn Féin chairman Mitchel McLoughlin said the news came as no surprise, adding they had to talk “sooner or later”.

Meanwhile SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the DUP’s previous track record was not very encouraging, but that if they were “serious about working with others they can prove it by participating in the talks”.

(AMcE)