Unionists 'must reject any deals with SF'
Ulster Unionists will not be prepared to consider a deal with Sinn Fein whatever peace commitments the IRA might make, it was claimed today.
As Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness held new talks with British officials in London, hardline Unionist MP David Burnside said his party should reject re-entering a powersharing administration with republicans.
After being warned by police today that the IRA was gathering intelligence on him, he said: “This scum is not fit to be in government. They are not politicians. They are not democrats.”
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are due back in Northern Ireland on Monday for a make-or-break meeting to try to restore the political process.
With the next election to the Stormont Assembly due on May 1, time is running out and all sides in Belfast today put the chances of agreement on Monday at less than 50-50.
But even if the IRA is ready to make a major move on weapons by emptying their secret arms dumps as part of any deal, David Trimble must resist Dublin and London pressure to return to Stormont, according to Mr Burnside.
The south Antrim MP said he was warned by police today that the IRA had been gathering intelligence on him. Party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson and Ian Paisley Jnr, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, have also been told to review their personal security arrangements.
Mr Burnside said: “Blair is wasting his time. There is no way Unionists should consider any sort of deal with Sinn Fein, irrespective of their commitments.
“The IRA intelligence on me was current and up-to-date.
“There will be no deal because their word is a lie. Blair may be conned, but Unionists will not. Blair is acting tough on Iraq, but he is being suckered by the IRA and Sinn Fein.
“His double standards are amazing.”
Sinn Fein refused to comment on today’s meeting in London involving the party president and Mr McGuinness, but behind the scenes moves are expected to intensify until Mr Blair’s arrival at Hillsborough Castle on Monday.
