Sinn Féin's National Chairman has accused unionists and the British government of 'playing fast and loose' with negotiations on the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.
In an article in An Phoblacht, Declan Kearney, said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State Shaun Woodward had failed to prevent the First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson creating obstacles to a deal.
Mr Kearney said unionists can exercise power in Northern Ireland only if they accept partnership and equality and that Mr Robinson had decisions to make on the issue.
He said the DUP's and British government's short-term expediency has all the potential to push the impasse into complete free-fall.
