SDLP hits back at British Labour MP

The SDLP has rejected criticism from a British Labour Party MP who accused the party of failing to show up for Westminster debates on the Irish peace process.

Andrew Mackinlay told the British House of Commons yesterday that some Labour members were sick of attending debates only to find that SDLP MPs had not turned up.

However, SDLP chairman Alex Atwood said today that his party's three MPs were present at all important Westminster debates.

He said Mr Mackinlay's comments were part of a campaign by some Labour Party members to organise in the North of Ireland.

"He quite cynically took an opportunity to make a narrow party political point," Mr Atwood said.