McGuinness 'wants to move St Andrew's Agreement forward'

Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said the party would approach tomorrow's resumed Assembly meeting "with the serious intention of moving forward the agenda set out by the governments at St Andrews".

All the parties, including the DUP, he said, knew what was required of them in the coming weeks.

"The Programme for Government meeting provides an opportunity for the DUP to engage in real politics and seek out effective solutions to the issues which remain to be resolved," he said.

But the DUP's Nigel Dodds threw matters back on Sinn Féin, saying it was their failure to sign up to support the police and law and order that was behind the delay.

"Recent horrendous events including murder, petrol-bomb attacks and other vicious crimes have resulted in a refusal by Sinn Féin to call for the police to be assisted in any way in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

"That proves the distance Sinn Féin has yet to travel. The onus is on them."