Sinn Fein is expected to open its first office in London close to Westminster parliament before the end of this year, a spokesman said yesterday, writes Rachel Donnelly.
The move comes after party representatives ein scoured toured London looking for suitable premises convenient to the powers that be. It is not clear when the office will be officially opened, but it is expected Sinn Fein's representative in London, Ms Michelle Gildernew, will run the branch. Funds raised during a recent tour in the US by the party president, Mr Gerry Adams, will pay the running costs. The continuing uncertainty over arms decommissioning is threatening to "poison" the peace process, according to the party's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, yesterday. He accused the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, of bowing to "rejectionist unionists" by supporting their demand for a start to IRA decommissioning before Sinn Fein could take its seat on the Northern Ireland executive. "David Trimble in effect is attempting to take all powers from the Assembly, which was elected democratically, and hold everything for himself and to take unilateral decisions - which I think are undoubtedly going in the coming weeks and months to poison the entire atmosphere," he told GMTV's Sunday Programme.
The Ulster Unionist security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, said Sinn Fein could only take its seat on the executive if it was proved to be "wholly and tangibly" committed to non-violence.