DUP: Devolution should go ahead without SF

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was uged today to move to form a devolved government in the North without Sinn Féin.

As Sinn Féin’s officer board met to review plans to hold a special party conference on policing, Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson claimed republican leaders were panicking in the face of internal resignations, deselections and possible dissident electoral challenges.

“Given that we are likely to see many other dissident candidates stand against Sinn Féin/IRA’s internal purge, accelerated splintering and the now inevitable challenge to (Gerry) Adams’ leadership, it is clear that Sinn Féin cannot or will not democratise any time soon,” the Upper Bann MP argued.

“There is now a clear onus on the government to move on without them.

“Let’s bring an end to the numerous delays and false dawns.

“Let the prime minister now show leadership and put in place legislation that will allow for the devolution of powers to democratic parties to establish an executive free from the taint of those who still refuse to break free of the morality of a terrorist organisation.”

Irish and British government efforts to secure republican support for the police in the North and power-sharing by March 26 were plunged into a fresh crisis last week when Gerry Adams hinted his party’s special conference may not go ahead.

Last month, Sinn Féin’s national executive decided there would be a special conference in January to decide if the party should for the first time in its history endorse the police in the North.

However, the move was conditional on a positive response from the Irish and British governments and from Ian Paisley.

While Sinn Féin has welcomed assessments from Mr Blair over the past week on what is needed from republicans and the DUP if power-sharing is to return, its leadership has warned that Mr Paisley has not been positive enough.

Party sources speculated that the officer board could approve at today’s meeting another meeting of its national executive, which would take place later this week, possibly on Friday or Saturday.

As the officer board met, it was confirmed Mr Blair would issue a written statement tomorrow on the future role of MI5 in the North, a key demand of nationalists.