SDLP accuses Sinn Fein of intimidation

The SDLP is accusing Sinn Fein of intimidation in the West Tyrone constituency, as campaigning continues in the North.

With ten days to go before voting the row is being viewed as a sign of how intense the campaign is being fought.

The SDLP is accusing republicans of a pattern of intimidation, involving the removal of posters, verbally abusing its candidate Brid Rodgers and the stalking of canvassers.

Sinn Fein has reacted by accusing the SDLP of a smear campaign.

It claims that intimidation in this election, like in all others, is coming from loyalists.

Martin Meehan, Sinn Fein’s South Antrim candidate, who received three death threats last week, is seeking a judical review of the RUC’s failure to prevent loyalist mobs attacking his canvassers.