McGuinness says British Government threat to impose welfare cuts a 'huge mistake'

DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER Martin McGuinness has warned the British Government that any attempt to implement welfare cuts in the North over the heads of the Assembly would be a "huge mistake" and would seriously undermine devolution and the political institutions.

The Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator accused the Conservative Party of being willing to jeopardise years of political progress "for its own narrow right wing agenda".

His comments came after British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers told the British-Irish Association conference in Cambridge that if agreement could not be reached via the Northern Executive then Westminster would legislate for welfare cuts in the North.

“The Tory cuts agenda has led to increased hardship and poverty in Britain and will have the same impact on communities in the north of Ireland", Martin McGuinness said.

“It is wrong and unjust to punish those most in need," he said.

Taking aim at the unionist parties he added:

"The parties supporting these Tory policies should reflect on the damage they will do to all our people."