Blair backs stance by unionists

UNIONISTS are “entirely justified” in refusing to share power with republicans in the light of the Belfast bank robbery, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday.

Unionists have called on both governments to exclude Sinn Féin and press ahead with efforts to restore devolution without them after Chief Constable Hugh Orde last week said he believed the IRA was responsible for the £26.5 million robbery before Christmas.

Mr Blair said Mr Orde would not have said that without evidence.