Sinn Fein Becoming Hostages to DUP on Policing

In a strongly critical comment of Sinn Féin’s approach to the policing issue, North Antrim MLA Seán Farren has said that Sinn Féin is making itself and the whole political process hostages to the DUP and thereby putting the prospects for progress in doubt.

Mr Farren said: “Instead of approaching the policing issue on its merits Sinn Féin now appears to be waiting for the green light to come from the DUP. This gives to the DUP the means to determine whether or not Sinn Féin will go ahead and endorse the new policing arrangements.

“This is a ridiculous position for any party to put itself in and means the DUP could hold out for a long time before ever giving that go ahead.

“When the SDLP decided to give its support to the new arrangements for policing it did so because it judged for itself that the time was right, that the Patten reform conditions were being met and not because any other party or government had persuaded us to do so.

“The situation that is now arising is one that puts in doubt whether elections can be called for March and indeed whether devolution can be achieved in the short term.

“It is time that Sinn Féin woke up to the position it has placed itself and the whole political process and began taking decisions because that that is right thing to do, not because the DUP or anyone else allows them to take those decisions.