Sinn Féin's tactics and "blatant arrogance" in their approach to policing and acts of completion could lead to the destruction of the Good Friday Agreement, Alliance assembly member Sean Neeson said yesterday (Tuesday).
Mr Neeson said Sinn Féin's dogmatic attitude to policing and ending paramilitary activity was not only an insult to unionists, but an embarrassment to nationalists.
He said: "They are displaying exactly the same kind of arrogance and contempt that unionists exhibited in the past when their childish actions led to the downfall of the former Northern Ireland parliament.
"It is ironic that Sinn Féin tactics could also lead to the destruction of the Good Friday Agreement. The assembly elections were delayed to facilitate SF, but it is my firm belief that elections must go ahead on May 29, whether republicans have chosen the democratic road or not." Mr Neeson added that to postpone elections once again will only lead to serious political instability and sectarian unrest on the streets.
He said: "The ball is in Sinn Féin's court and they must decide if they are going to abide by the wish of the vast majority of Irish people, north and south, who overwhelmingly endorsed the agreement, or condemn them to further uncertainty and bloodshed."
Meanwhile, PUP leader David Ervine has dismissed as hypocritical comments made at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis that republican leaders are engaged in "so-called outreach work" with the unionist community.
Mr Ervine said: "I find it amazing that the Sinn Féin leadership can applaud their own efforts at outreach work in the unionist community whilst the spectacle of Provo death threats still hang over the heads of thousands within the Protestant community.
"It is particularly hypocritical that many of those targeted in the latest Provo intelligence ring have been community workers and political representatives whose life's work is reconciliation and peace building in Northern Ireland."
