The SDLP has criticised Sinn Fein's refusal to join the North's Policing Board before Assembly elections scheduled for May 29.
Party leader Mark Durkan said: "It seems to me that Sinn Fein want to hedge their bets through the election. They want to speak with a forked tongue on the policing issue."
However, he added that Sinn Fein's delay in joining the board would not affect any deal that may be negotiated between the pro-agreement parties at Hillsborough next month.