SDLP slams opposition to justice reform

The SDLP's Alex Atwood has accused senior civil servants of trying to prevent the devolution of justice powers to the Northern Executive.

Mr Atwood, whose party wants the Northern institutions to be given responsibility for criminal justice, called on the British government to stand up to those opposed to such a move.

Mr Atwood also said that the SDLP would not support any effort to include a new justice ministry within the remit of the office of the First and Deputy First Ministers, but said he would be open to a dual ministry that involved both unionist and nationalist representatives.