Sinn Fein chief Martin McGuinness says DUP ‘acting in bad faith’ over welfare reform pledge
Martin McGuinness has accused the British government of ‘crucifying’ the Northern executive, insisting the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement would resolve the current difficulties on the Welfare Reform Bill.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers, Mr McGuinness said: “The current difficulties facing the Executive are a result of the British government’s Thatcherite policies, which are designed to attack the poor and the most vulnerable in our society.
“Theresa Villiers is not a neutral broker in the current dispute and the cuts agenda of the Tory-led British government is effectively crucifying the Stormont Executive.
“We have been very clear from the start that the protection of children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities, the long-term sick and families with children was the basis on which Sinn Féin endorsed the Welfare Bill.
“Nowhere were these protections qualified until 19th February.
“Since then we have been trying to get a resolution to this issue and we remain committed to that goal.
“In my view resolution is possible, and that resolution is the full implementation of the agreement.”
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