Nationalists meet to discuss differences on policing

Nationalist leaders in Northern Ireland today will hold talks addressing their divisions on policing.

Nationalist leaders in Northern Ireland today will hold talks addressing their divisions on policing.

Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan are to have a breakfast meeting that will also cover the Bill of Rights and criminal justice issues.

The talks are expected to focus on the division between the two parties over support for Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin and the SDLP have been divided since Mr Durkan's party decided to take its three seats on the 19-member Policing Board.

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The division has spilled over into local government, with the two parties clashing regularly in Derry City Council. The SDLP has accused Sinn Féin of disrupting council business in the city and of vilifying its councillors.

Sinn Féin has accused the SDLP of supporting flawed policing structures that do not have the support of most nationalists and republicans.

Sinn Féin, which insists it is still talking with the British government on policing, said the new police service is still not accountable enough. It has also demanded an end to the use of plastic bullets.

PA