SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said the failed negotiation of Sinn Féin and the DUP is delivering British Direct Rule to Northern Ireland on November0 13.
The Foyle MLA was speaking after the Secretary of State gave an update on the stalled negotiations at Stormont.
Mr Eastwood said: “The update from the Secretary of State confirms that the continued failure of the DUP and Sinn Féin is set to deliver Direct Rule on the 13th of November.
“I have been consistent and clear – a Northern Ireland budget passed in Westminster is Direct Rule.
“That is why I have also said that as co-guarantors of all our political agreements, the Irish government must now step in to provide ‘joint stewardship’ of our politics.
“From the Secretary of State’s statement it is unclear whether this budget will mark the roll-out of the Tory agreement with the DUP. Many in the North will be worried that the DUP will now be directing where the money goes.
“The public are understandably deeply worried about what Direct Rule will bring.
“A Tory/DUP government will do nothing for the rights of people in the North. It only strengthens the DUP’s intransigence.
“It will do nothing for the rights of Irish language speakers, the LGBT community or victims.
“For nationalism in the North, the return of Direct Rule is deeply serious and a huge step backwards from the political accommodation we all signed up to.
“In two elections, Sinn Féin asked for and received a strong mandate from the nationalist electorate to negotiate. Now their failed negotiation is leading to a Tory/DUP government in London, giving Arlene Foster a blank cheque.
“The myth that they are good and strong negotiators has been totally exposed today – Sinn Fein’s negotiating is delivering British Direct Rule,” added the Foyle MLA.
