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 Sinn Féin MLA Michelle O’Neill tonight told British prime minister Theresa May that the British government has to fulfill its commitments on equality and respect the rights of the people of the North to remain in the EU. 

After speaking earlier today to the British Prime Minister, Michelle O’Neill said:  

“I told Theresa May that the action taken by Martin McGuinness to resign as deputy First Minister and to force this election was about giving the people their say on DUP arrogance and contempt for the electorate. 

“Public confidence in the institutions has been rocked by the RHI scandal and the failure to tackle issues of equality and respect have caused real anger.  

“I made it clear that Sinn Féin want political institutions which are about delivering progressive change and which are inclusive of everyone. 

“I challenged her to show the British Government’s intent towards resolving this crisis by fulfilling their own commitments on equality and rights protections which they are responsible for under the Good Friday Agreement. 

“I stressed the importance of her acting on legacy mechanisms to deal with the past as agreed in the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements in order for our society to begin to heal the wounds of the past and build the future.

In addition she added: “The British Government must recognise that the voice and rights of citizens in the North who voted to remain within the EU must be respected. It is my intention to fight our corner with both Governments and the EU to ensure that our entire island secures our position within the EU together. 

“Sinn Féin will not allow the North to slide back to the old politics of the past, but there can be no return to the status quo. 

"I insisted that this means equality, respect and parity of esteem which must be at the heart of power sharing to deliver public services, investment and jobs for all the citizens of the North."