Adams lashes McDowell over SDLP canvass

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell last night insisted he was campaigning for an SDLP general election candidate in a personal capacity following criticism of his visit to Belfast by Sinn Féin.

Mr McDowell, who has been a trenchant critic of Sinn Féin’s links with the IRA, was campaigning last night for the deputy leader of the nationalist SDLP, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, in his bid to capture the south Belfast seat. However, his intervention in the campaign was criticised by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and the party’s MEP in Dublin Mary Lou McDonald while they were canvassing for votes in Derry.

Mr Adams, who also attacked a recent visit by Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern to SDLP MP Eddie McGrady in South Down, said: “It’s a pity he (Mr