Sinn Féin and DUP told to 'stop the mud-slinging'

The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin must end the process of insult and accusation if they are serious about achieving power-sharing in the North, both parties were told tonight.

As members of the Stormont Assembly’s Preparation for Government Committee prepared for their first meeting tomorrow since Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair's visit to Belfast, SDLP senior negotiator Sean Farren said both parties needed to prove they were serious about devolution.