British Chancellor Gordon Brown

Crucial issues raised with Brown

A Sinn Féin delegation led by Party President Gerry Adams MP and including MPs Martin McGuinness and Michelle Gildernew met the British Chancellor Gordon Brown on Monday.

Speaking afterwards Gerry Adams described the meeting as useful and constructive and welcomed the opportunity to raise with Brown "the crucial importance of the British government actively pursuing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement'".

The Sinn Féin delegation also raised "the essential requirement of a Peace Dividend to build infrastructure, create jobs and develop a positive social and economic dynamic".

"Cuts in public spending, massive increases in rates and the introduction of water charges are all vital matters which this Chancellor has a particular responsibility for", Gerry Adams said.

"Sinn Féin has consistently put the case to the British government for a £10 billion 10-year Peace Building Strategy to tackle years of neglect", he said.

"It is disgraceful that the DUP refused to participate in a collective approach by party leaders on the issue of a Peace Dividend. This is bad, short-sighted leadership, especially for disadvantaged unionist working class areas which the DUP claims to represent", said Adams.