The SDLP and Sinn Fein have clashed verbally over last Friday's deal which paved the way for the creation of 10 ministerial departments and six North-South implementation bodies. Mr Sean Farren of the SDLP, who was involved in the protracted discussions leading to Friday's agreement, yesterday rejected a complaint by Sinn Fein Assembly member Mr Mitchel McLaughlin that the SDLP had been out-manoeuvred by the Ulster Unionist Party.
Mr McLaughlin accused the SDLP of caving in to the UUP by allowing the equality issue to come under the control of the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon. Sinn Fein had called for the creation of an equality department.