Unionists step up sanctions

Sinn Fein's Stormont ministers are subject to a ban

The Ulster Unionist Party has said it has increased its sanctions against Sinn Fein ministers in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive.

First Minister David Trimble imposed a ban last October in an attempt to get the IRA to re-engage with the body overseeing decommissioning.

He has refused to authorise the attendance of Sinn Fein ministers Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun at meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council.

However, the ban was later declared unlawful by the High Court.

This is a significant escalation of sanctions against Sinn Fein by the UUP

Ulster Unionist spokesman

On Friday morning, an Ulster Unionist spokesman said UUP ministers had refused to attend a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh, scheduled to take place later.

The spokesman said: "We made it clear that Ulster Unionist Party ministers would not attend.

"This is because of the continuing failure of the republican movement to decommission its weaponry as promised by the IRA on 6 May last year.

"This is a significant escalation of sanctions against Sinn Fein by the UUP."

Intensive talks

The spokesman added that the "refusal of the republican movement to honour its commitments on disarmament" was the main reason for instability within the political process.

The comments come as the British and Irish governments try to find a deal on decommissioning, demilitarisation and police reform, which are threatening to topple the peace process.

The two governments have pencilled in next Tuesday as a possible date for round-table talks aimed at ending the political stalemate.

The talks could go ahead, possibly at Hillsborough in County Down if it is decided sufficient progress has been made over the weekend.