Talks to restore power-sharing government in Northern Ireland collapsed on Wednesday, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) accusing Sinn Féin of intransigence and criticising Prime Minister Theresa May for an 'unhelpful' visit to Belfast earlier this week.
DUP negotiator Simon Hamilton said May's Monday meeting with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Stormont had given a false sense of progress. 'Regardless of the intervention, unsuccessful as it was of both prime ministers, significant and serious gaps remain between ourselves and Sinn Féin,' he stated.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said there was no current prospect of compromise, particularly on Sinn Féin's demand for a standalone Irish language act. 'Despite our best efforts, serious and significant gaps remain, especially on the issue of the Irish language,' she said, adding that it was now up to the UK government to impose a budget on Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said her party had worked in good faith and believed a deal was close. 'The DUP failed to close the deal. They have now collapsed this process. These issues are not going away,' she said.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith called the DUP's comments about the prime minister 'embarrassing', stating: 'Theresa May has been humiliated by the DUP.' Downing Street played down the rift, expressing hope a deal could still be reached.
