Eastwood: Tories have 'wrecked' Northern Ireland and destroyed relations with Dublin

Criticising Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy, Mr Eastwood said 'turning up to drink coffee now and again in the canteen doesn’t cut it'

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood pictured at the Guildhall in Derry City (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Conservative government “wrecked” Northern Ireland and “destroyed” the UK’s relationship with Dublin, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.

Mr Eastwood said he believed that a Labour government would be more positive for people in the region but insisted MPs from Northern Ireland needed to take their places at Westminster to exert influence.