Durkan claims SDLP success would force IRA to disband

SDLP leader Mark Durkan has claimed that success for his party in the upcoming Westminster election in the North would force the IRA to disband.

Speaking at the launch of his party's manifesto today, Mr Durkan claimed it was the loss of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams' seat in 1992 that drove the IRA towards a ceasefire.

He said, left to its own devices, the IRA would not go away, but voters could keep up the pressure on the organisation by supporting the SDLP.

Mr Durkan also reiterated that his party would not accede to unionist demands that it back moves to exclude Sinn Féin from government in the North.