UUP deputy leader slams Adams

The Ulster Unionist deputy leader, Sir Reg Empey, has accused Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams of refusing to accept his share of responsibility for the impending crisis in the peace process.

Sir Reg was speaking after Mr Adams said the UUP leader, David Trimble, was creating a climate for loyalist violence by a 'manufactured crisis'.

Gerry Adams has repeatedly challenged the UUP leader to stop creating false crises, accusing him of trying to force the collapse of the executive before next May's assembly elections.

The Sinn Fein leader said the instability caused by the UUP was irresponsible at a time when loyalists were stepping up violence.

Sir Reg said unionists had backed the Good Friday Agreement because they wanted to see an end to all paramilitary activity.

He accused Mr Adams of deliberately hiding behind a smokescreen to mask the fact that the IRA have not disbanded.