SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said that the British Government had “checked out” of resolving the political stalemate at Stormont.He made his remarks after speaking with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley
Mr Eastwood said: “It appears that the concerns of the SDLP in relation to the future of local governance in the North are falling on deaf ears.
“Despite my best efforts, it has now become clear to me that the British Government are shrugging their responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement as they have checked out of resolving the political stalemate at Stormont.
“After sixteen months of no government here, the judgement on the Hightown Incinerator has called time on political drift.
“No matter how much pretend politics Mrs Bradley wants to play – the truth remains we need government here and the courts have said clearly the civil service are not legally able to step up.
“I’ve put it to Mrs Bradley yet again – the British and Irish Governments now need to step up and step in.
“Our political system is broken thanks to the brinksmanship of the DUP and Sinn Fein.
“Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement – both guarantors, both governments need to ensure the governance of this place.
“The best way to do that is to convene the intergovernmental conference, clear the decks and get all of us back to work in the Assembly.
“The British Government need to stop using Northern Ireland as a pawn in their political games with the DUP.
“There’s no messing around here – this is crunch time,” added the Foyle MLA.
