Martin McGuinness's "code of honour" to his IRA colleagues renders the notion of a truth and reconciliation commission impossible, according to an SDLP councillor.
Speaking outside Derry's Guildhall last week after appearing at the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday, the Sinn Féin MP declared that he would "rather die" than be disloyal to the Provisional IRA honour code.
The SDLP's Carmel O'Boyle last night said Mr McGuinness's "code of honour" was equivalent to the Mafia's Omerta.
"Webster's dictionary defines omerta as 'code among members of the criminal underworld that enjoins private vengeance and the refusal to give information to outsiders'," Ms O'Boyle said.
"Citizens are seduced by the cinematic glamour of Michael Corleone and his 'family'. But such people are thugs. They care nothing for anyone but themselves alone. In political terms this is sectarianism."
Ms O'Boyle said although the MP claimed to want reconciliation with unionists, last week's gesture "now makes a truth and reconciliation commission impossible".
