SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood calls on the DUP and Sinn Fein to 'come clean' about negotiations and chances of restoring devolution

He said: “After the long struggle to deliver power to people on this island, Sinn Fein and the DUP have delivered nothing but a return to British direct rule. All of us have been abandoned by two parties who continue to serve their own political needs rather than the needs of the public.

“The DUP and Sinn Féin have shrouded their negotiations in secrecy, a trait that came to define their Executive. It is now time for the smoke and mirrors to end.

“Both parties should immediately publish exactly where their negotiations stand. That means a comprehensive explanation of the compromises reached and the difficulties that remain. The public should have an opportunity to judge for themselves the possibility of an overarching resolution rather than relying on tired soundbites about phantom progress.

"Constantly asking us what compromises we would make whilst keeping the details and the progress of the negotiations secret is a cop out.

"In the context of a budget which makes further critical cuts to public spending, they must also publish their draft budget today.

"Former Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has been very quick to criticise yesterday’s direct rule budget. Yet we are told by the Secretary of State and senior civil servants that yesterday's budget is based on the direction of travel of the last Executive.  So let’s see exactly how much of that budget is reflected in the draft budget Máirtín Ó Muilleoir failed to deliver as Finance Minister.

“Let’s see if, despite his protests, he was preparing to allocate more money to the disgraced SIF process or cut resource in child maintenance, road safety and employment and skills.

“The DUP also have questions to answer. Their compact with the Tory party cannot become a dripping tap of resource that is turned on only when it benefits Arlene Foster politically. That money was promised to people in Northern Ireland because of our unique needs. It is not a slush fund for the DUP to dole out when they feel the heat. Will the DUP set out the detail of their cosy relationship with Theresa May? On what terms and when will this money be released?

“It is time all of this was brought into the light. The rot at the heart of these negotiations must be exposed. The tactics of distraction and deflection by the DUP and Sinn Fein cannot go unchallenged. The public have a right to know. We must all challenge the status quo of secrecy. It is time for both parties to come clean. Government by back room deal is not on.”