On eve of McGuinness's funeral, Adams delivers talks ultimatum

In a speech last night on the eve of his republican colleague’s funeral in Londonderry today, the Sinn Fein president ruled out an extension to the current all-party talks in an effort to form an Executive.

Some around Stormont have suggested that Martin McGuinness’s death could have been a reason to delay the decision about whether the DUP and Sinn Fein can share power.

But, speaking in Newry, Mr Adams ruled that out and said: “Sinn Féin is opposed to any extension of Monday’s deadline.”

Yesterday the Roman Catholic Church said that Sinn Fein had assured it that there will be no IRA trappings at today’s funeral - just three months after former Sinn Fein press officer Dale Moore was buried in the same city with Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson assisting with placing IRA regalia on his coffin.

Last night it remained unclear whether DUP leader Arlene Foster - who worked, largely harmoniously, with Mr McGuinness in Stormont Castle for a year - would attend today’s funeral.

Yesterday morning the DUP told BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show that she was “undecided” about whether to do so.

Yesterday the DUP Lord Mayor of Belfast, Brian Kingston, was the first person to sign a book of condolence for Mr McGuinness in Belfast City Hall.

Later, the Queen’s representative in Belfast, Lord Lieutenant Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE, signed the same book of condolence for Mr McGuinness

Last night Mr Adams set out an uncompromising stance as the talks enter their final days.

Addressing a republican meeting in Newry, he said: “There is only a very short time to form the Executive for the northern Assembly. So far there is no agreement to do this. Sinn Féin has made it clear that there can be no return to the status quo.

“Led by Michelle O’Neill our negotiating team has been in daily dialogue with all of the parties and the two governments. There is clearly a desire among the majority of the parties for a step change in how business is done in the political institutions. There is also a consensus on the need for better and transparent good governance on behalf of all of the people and for the full implement of the Good Friday Agreement.”

Mr Adams said it was “possible for agreement to be reached in the coming days” but went on to say: “From our point of view this is about an implementation process. There cannot be continuous negotiation and re-negotiation of agreements already made. So Sinn Féin is opposed to any extension of Monday’s deadline or a return to British Direct Rule.”

Mr Adams then went on to set out a scenario in which, if Sinn Fein and the DUP cannot agree to share power, the Government moves to fill the vacuum and implement Direct Rule there will be a further political crisis, with Sinn Fein pressing for the Irish Government to get involved at that point.

He said: “In 2006 the British and Irish governments agreed in a joint statement that the restoration of the political institutions would see the British government’s power to suspend the Assembly lapse for good.

“They also agreed, if the Executive was not formed, to begin detailed work on British-Irish partnership arrangements to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is actively developed across its structures and functions.

“While the governments have not developed the British-Irish partnership arrangements envisaged if the Executive was not formed at that time, the British government’s power to suspend the Assembly is gone.

“Of course this legislation could be reintroduced at any time but this would be a very serious step, which the Irish Government would be compelled to oppose. We look to the Taoiseach to make that clear.”

Mr Adams also called on all anti-Brexit parties to now work together on securing some special EU status for Northern Ireland.

Lord Empey, one of the UUP negotiators of the 1998 Agreement who served alongside Mr McGuinness in successive Executives, expressed the view that the Sinn Fein veteran appeared to be genuine about appearing to make Northern Ireland work.

But, speaking to the News Letter, he set out grave concern about the future, saying: “I don’t think Adams is that person; I think he’s now in complete control of Sinn Fein.

“He has ambitions in the Republic, particularly in the context of Brexit, and will use that to seek to subvert the Belfast Agreement and the principle of consent.”

The talks will be temporarily suspended today due to Mr McGuinness’s funeral. Whilst there will be no formally-chaired meetings during the day, discussions are expected to resume in the late evening, according to a UK government source close to the process.

Parties are striving to strike a deal which will salvage power-sharing before the deadline of 4pm on Monday.

The source said that talks – which are chaired by the Northern Ireland Office – had taken place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and had involved Sinn Fein, despite the news of Mr McGuinness’ death.

They added that it is unknown at this stage whether talks will take place over the weekend.