Key talks on the Belfast Agreement next week will have little chance of creating a breakthrough, a senior Sinn Féin figure said today.
Party chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin accused the British government of lying by briefing journalists that matters would be "magically" resolved this Monday.
He said the crucial meeting in Belfast between British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Mr Ahern would be intensive, and negotiations would continue over the weekend.
But he added: "It is my view that as we face into the situation, as we are aware of the detail of what's being offered, there is actually very little likelihood of a breakthrough for Hillsborough on Monday."
Speaking after a party meeting in Dublin, he said the British government was briefing journalists on an "ongoing basis".
"For a long time now the British government have been explaining away their failure to demilitarise on the basis of this alleged threat from dissident republicans," he said.
"And yet they are briefing you people on an ongoing basis that suddenly, magically, all this could be done on Monday.
"So clearly they are telling lies.
"Up to now the dilemma for us is will they continue to tell lies on that issue and will this caveat re-emerge should there be any attempt to put together a package on policing?"
PA
