SDLP criticises DUP refusal to accept IMC conclusions

The SDLP has hit out at the DUP's ongoing refusal to share power with Sinn Féin despite this week's assessment by the Independent Monitoring Commission.

The unionist party still says Sinn Féin is unfit for Government despite the IMC's view that the IRA is honouring its commitment to end all illegal activity.

The DUP claims there is still a grey area over IRA criminality and the murder of Denis Donaldson and says Sinn Féin's stance against the PSNI shows it is not committed to the rule of law.

However, the SDLP's Alex Atwood says the party is simply making excuses to avoid accepting nationalists as equals.

He is calling on the Irish and British governments to make it clear to unionists at next week's talks in Scotland that this is not acceptable.

"The DUP will always look for an excuse to impede the political process and to hold back on going into power with nationalists on equal terms," he says.

"They will continue to look for reasons not to do it. Everybody needs to tell them the time has come to move forward."