Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

SDLP in disarray over policing transfer

Published: 6 March, 2009

Sinn Féin MP and MLA for Newry and Armagh, Conor Murphy has accused the SDLP of being in their usual disarray when it comes to policing legislation. Mr Murphy said that SDLP leader Mark Durkan seemed incapable of making up his mind on whether he supported the transfer of powers or not.

Mr Murphy said:

"Given the SDLP record on dealing with policing legislation it should come as no surprise that they are once again in disarray on the issue. It was the SDLP after all who when faced with the Mandelson Bill, first voted for the legislation, then against and then abstained. Seamus Mallon famously declared after the Bill was passed that no more policing legislation was possible."

"Unlike the SDLP who have done nothing to secure the transfer of Policing and Justice Powers, Sinn Féin has remained committed to this key issue. We are working to ensure that the process led by Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson will lead to the transfer of powers being advanced."

"Achieving this will remain the focus of Sinn Féin in the time ahead and we will not allow ourselves to become distracted from that task by Mark Durkan or anyone else."