The removal of legislation enabling the British government to suspend the North's political institutions is a key Sinn Fein demand in this week's negotiations, a newly-elected MP for the party has said.
Addressing a commemoration for IRA Derry volunteers yesterday, Ms Michelle Gildernew, MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, said the party would also demand a time-tabled programme of demilitarisation, legislative changes on policing and the lifting of the ban by Mr David Trimble on Sinn Fein Ministers attending North-South council meetings.
Ms Gildernew also rounded on Mr Trimble, claiming he wished to achieve a suspension with the blame falling on republicans. He has threatened to resign as First Minister on July 1st if there is no move on arms by the IRA. "It is our belief that the issue of arms can be resolved, but not by ultimatums from any quarter," she said.
She claimed the SDLP had "collapsed" under the pressure of Mr Trimble's threat. "And Seamus Mallon will not succeed in dishonestly blaming republicans for the present difficulties in order to save David Trimble."