Local elections in Northern Ireland have been delayed by three weeks, the British Home Secretary Mr Jack Straw confirmed today.
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British Home Secretary Mr Jack Straw
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He told the House of Commons they would now take place on June 7th, the same date as county council elections in England.
He was flanked by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid as he made his statement to the House.
Although a date has not been officially set for the general election most analysts believe it will now take place on June 7th.
Sinn Fein was quick to react to the announcement. The party's vice president Mr Pat Doherty said the local government elections should have gone ahead on May 16th.
"This is clearly a move designed to help David Trimble to avoid a poor showing in the local elections," he said.
Mr Doherty called on the electorate to send a clear signal of support for the peace process to those who want to derail the Belfast Agreement.
Earlier Mr Tom Hartley, Sinn Féin local government spokesman, said any attempt to hold the general election and local elections on the same day would present election organisers with "a logistical nightmare" and "cause untold confusion amongst voters".
"When one considers the already high percentage of votes unintentionally spoiled in past elections, any arrangement which would cause further confusion amongst voters should be avoided at all costs," he said.
PA