Durkan challenges Adams to public debate

SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan has challenged Sinn Féin President Mr Gerry Adams to a public debate.

SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan has challenged Sinn Féin President Mr Gerry Adams to a public debate.

Mr Durkan said he would meet Mr Adams in private and even debate in public as to what the "comprehensive agreement" means for the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Durkan hit out at Sinn Féin saying they put the interests of a private army ahead of the interests of the Irish people.

"Instead of worrying about photos humiliating the IRA, Sinn Féin should have been worrying about vetoes which will be used by the DUP time and time again to humiliate nationalists ministers and nationalist people," Mr Durkan said.

READ MORE

Mr Durkan said the SDLP would not make a big issue over photos and that the word of General John de Chastelain was enough for them.

He also criticised Sinn Féin for their lack of pre-conditions at the negotiations in Leeds Castle. "The only thinkg that Sinn Féin made a precondition was the release of the murderers of Gerry McCabe," Mr Durkan said.

UUP leader Mr David Trimble hit out at the DUP by saying the Rev Ian Paisley had conceded more ground to republicans during the last round of negotiations.

"What on earth were you doing for the last six years when at the end of the day you accept these [the comprehensive agreement] and when you go through the detail of this you will see very little you have achieved for it all and lots of things you have done to meet the agenda of republicans," Mr Trimble said.