Tough words expected at SDLP conference

More criticism of republicans and unionists for creating crisis in the peace process is expected at the annual SDLP conference in Antrim today.

Yesterday, the party chairman, Alex Attwood, and its deputy leader, Brid Rodgers, made speeches attacking what they claimed was poor pro-Agreement leadership in the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and "provocative actions" by both the IRA and Sinn Féin.

Although speakers blamed both unionism and republicanism for the suspension of the Assembly and Executive, it was noticeable that most applause came when the speakers were criticising Sinn Féin and the IRA.

Brid Rodgers, in her deputy leader's speech, appealed to unionists to condemn loyalist violence.

She also took a swipe at Sinn Féin for what she said were their sometimes provocative words, such as the term "greening the west" to describe their electoral successes at last year's Westminister elections in Mid-Ulster, West Tyrone and Fermanagh.

In her speech, Mrs. Rogers appealed to republicans to act responsibly. "There are things that the Republican movement can do to build, not just unionist confidence, but the confidence of all the people of this Island.

"They can listen for a start to what the people of Ireland demand. Stop the punishment beatings, the summary justice, the community control," she said.

Alex Attwood also received tumultuous applause in his speech yesterday, when he accused Sinn Féin of contradiction and confusion in its policing policy.

These are themes that the SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, is also expected to emphasise during his leadership speech this afternoon.