The DUP today criticised Sinn Féin over its motion on policing in Northern Ireland that is to be put to Sinn Féin members at an ardfheis in Dublin later this month.
Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister said the motion for the special ardfheis on January 28th was unacceptable because it made support for the PSNI conditional on the formation of a power-sharing government and assurances that policing and justice powers would be transferred.
DUP MEP Jim Allister
"True to form Sinn Féin is bowling short in its ardfheis motion," he claimed. "It makes all its trumpeted support for policing conditional on its demands on power-sharing and devolution of policing and justice first being met.
"What this amounts to is that the DUP jumps first by permitting Sinn Féin into government before they will deign to support the police. That is not acceptable," he said.
"Upfront delivery by Sinn Féin, tested and proved over a credible period, is non-negotiable."
Sinn Féin's 56-member executive agreed on Saturday to put the motion to 2000 rank-and-file members at the ardfheis. The motion to be voted on includes support for the PSNI and the North's criminal justice system as well as Sinn Féin joining the Policing Board and the district policing partnerships.
A vote of 50 per cent plus one would carry the ardfheis, which is to be attended by up to 2,000 delegates. However, to achieve a convincing endorsement and to avoid a split in the party, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams would need to carry the ardfheis by two-thirds support or more.
Additional reporting: PA