War of words continues between SF and DUP

The war of words between Sinn Féin and the DUP is continuing unabated as the North's power-sharing Executive remains mired in deadlock.

The two parties have been trading insults for several weeks as Sinn Féin continues to block Executive meetings in a row over the devolution of policing and justice powers.

The DUP is preventing the transfer of these powers from London to Stormont, saying it needs more time to assess the IRA's future intentions.

Over the weekend, Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún questioned whether the unionist party was capable of taking part in a future built on partnership.

Speaking at a republican commemoration in Co Louth, she said the DUP's two most fundamental principles were to defeat Sinn Féin and oppose power-sharing.