DUP welcomes Govt antagonism towards SF

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson has welcomed the Government's growing antagonism towards Sinn Féin.

Speaking at a party meeting in Omagh, Co Tyrone, last night, Mr Robinson praised the "robust" approach being adopted by the Government due to alleged ongoing IRA criminality.

He said this contrasted with the attitude of the British government which, he said, was refusing to name people on the IRA army council because the police would then be required to arrest and charge them.

Mr Robinson said republicans were now under the spotlight as never before.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has said that, whatever the origins and reasons for the current crisis, the work of rebuilding the peace process had to begin.

He also said he did not underestimate the seriousness of the crisis.