A war of words between Sinn Féin and the SDLP intensified today as the chances of an electoral pact at the next British general election receded quickly.
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Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
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Sinn Féin - which proposed a pact - and the SDLP yesterday failed to strike a deal during talks over putting forward an agreed candidate to contest some of the most vulnerable unionist-held seats.
Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin accused the SDLP of failing to add any ideas to his party's outline for an electoral strategy over the next 10 years which could see nationalists winning 11 of the 18 seats for Northern Ireland at Westminster.
But the SDLP's Mr Alex Attwood today insisted no real reason had been given for changing his party's electoral strategy.
The SDLP chairman also took a swipe at Sinn Féin's refusal to take its Westminster seats.
Mr Attwood said: "Sinn Féin outlined no credible argument as to how replacing unionist MPs who are essentially absentee, had failed to deliver for constituencies, was going to be improved by other MPs who are also absentee and would not deliver for constituencies."
But Mr McLaughlin replied that 3 per cent attendance by the SDLP's three MPs during the last term of Westminster showed this was a "red herring".
PA