DUP and Sinn Fein 'incapable of governing' says SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood - 'It's easy for Sinn Fein to preach republican politics in front of the faithful'

DUP and Sinn Féin have proved themselves incapable of governing, says SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood.

The Foyle MLA has said it is a signal of just how desperate the DUP and Sinn Féin have become that they are prepared to hand over their failed negotiation to a chaotic British Government.

Mr Eastwood’s comments came as both the DUP and Sinn Féin met the British Prime Minister Theresa May in Downing Street.

The SDLP Leader said: “The sight of the DUP and Sinn Féin shuffling into Downing Street is yet another signal of their failed negotiation which has left northern politics frozen in failure.

“It says a lot about the failed negotiation of the DUP and Sinn Féin that they are now prepared to hand over our future to a British Government who are busy fighting amongst themselves.

“The DUP and Sinn Féin represent a failed status quo. Over 10 years we have all suffered the reality that they are incapable of governing.

“The DUP and Sinn Fein seem to be the only group of people on the European continent who actually believe that Theresa May’s government is capable of coming up with a political solution.

“It’s easy for Sinn Féin to preach republican politics in front of the faithful at the weekend but the cold reality of the working week has again shown that their failed negotiation has delivered British Direct Rule to the people of the North.

“One year on from their joint article, arrogantly boasting on how cosy and successful their decade at the top of government had been, today’s context paints a truer picture. Their journey to Downing Street is symbolic of the fact that their 10 year relationship has ended in them handing power back to British Government.”