DUP leader Arlene Foster today ended talks on restoring devolution in Northern Ireland, accusing Sinn Fein of trying to hold her to ransom.
Mrs Foster called on the Westminster government to intervene to set a budget and start making policy decisions held over during the 13-month stalemate.
The decision to collapse the talks comes a day after Mrs Foster blasted Theresa May for making a ‘distracting’ intervention in a visit to Belfast on Monday.
The Prime Minister raised hopes of a deal by travelling to Stormont to meet the parties alongside Irish premier Leo Varadkar.
But Mrs May left empty handed and Mrs Foster today said the latest round of talks had failed.
Devolution has been on ice for more than a year after Sinn Fein collapsed the power-sharing executive and demanded Mrs Foster’s resignation.
DUP leader Arlene Foster (pictured yesterday in Belfast) today ended talks on restoring devolution in Northern Ireland, accusing Sinn Fein of trying to hold her to ransom
In a lengthy statement, the DUP chief – who is an alliance propping up Mrs May in Westminster – said there were still ‘serious and significant’ gaps.
Mrs Foster said: ‘In our view, there is no current prospect of these discussions leading to an executive being formed.
‘It is now incumbent upon Her Majesty’s Government to set a budget and start making policy decisions about our schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Important decisions impacting on everyone in Northern Ireland have been sitting in limbo for too long.
‘I had dearly hoped that we could have restored an Executive and local Ministers could have taken those decisions. That is not possible at this time. Northern Ireland is best governed by local Ministers who are accountable to local people.
‘Restoring a sustainable and fully functioning devolved government will remain our goal but we will not accept a one-sided deal.
‘Any agreement to restore the Executive must be on a sensible basis. We cannot and will not be held to ransom by those who have refused to form an Executive for over thirteen months.’
The Prime Minister (pictured at Stormont on Monday night) raised hopes of a breakthrough in the 13-month stalemate by announcing the surprise visit
As talks broke up on Monday night Mrs May urged the parties to make ‘one final push’ to strike a deal to salvage powersharing.
But Mrs Foster said while the leaders were welcome, their presence proved a ‘bit of a distraction’ as it interrupted negotiations.
She said the governments had been told in advance of their trip that ‘the deal wasn’t done’.
Downing Street declined to comment on Mrs Foster’s remarks, insisting Mrs May had made the reason for her trip.
Speaking outside Stormont on Monday night, the PM said: ‘I believe it is possible to see the basis of an agreement here.
‘There is the basis of an agreement and it should be possible to see an executive up and running in Northern Ireland very soon.’
‘We should be able to see an executive up and running very soon.’
Sinn Fein’s leadership (including Mary Lou McDonald left and Michelle O’Neill right) have insisted the moment has arrived to strike a deal
Yesterday Sinn Fein senior negotiator Conor Murphy said an Irish Language Act was essential to any deal to restore the political institutions.
He said talks were at a critical stage and the party was focused on achieving a deal.
‘However they want to describe it, the DUP know that agreement requires an Acht Gaeilge.
‘The DUP need to make up their mind about whether they are up for a deal or not.
‘This is a time for leadership and calm heads and there is a responsibility on all involved not to react to some of the noise from people who simply don’t want an agreement.’
On the issues in the talks, Mrs Foster (pictured on Monday night in Stormont) today repeated her insistence her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act – a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13-month impasse