SDLP leader says 'melodrama' in the Conservative party shouldn't distract from power-sharing talks

By Q Radio News

Parties at Stormont say they don't want Theresa May's departure as Prime Minister to impact the latest power-sharing talks process.

Politicians got back round the negotiating table earlier this month in a bid to get devolution back up and running.

The fresh-bid to restore devolution began earlier this month, following the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry-Londonderry.

Fr Martin Magill asked the politicians at her funeral why, two years after powersharing broke down in the Northern Ireland Assembly, it had taken the slaying of a young woman to bring them together.

The question, delivered with a tone of exasperation, received a standing ovation - although the politicians, sat at the front of the congregation, were the last to get to their feet.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the Catholic peacemaking priest suggested the striking images illustrated the wider public will for unity and change in Northern Ireland.

"The people, in a sense, really put the pressure on in the cathedral to stand," he said.

"Obviously the politicians realised; 'Oh goodness, everybody behind us is standing, we need to move,' and they literally moved because people had moved.

"To some extent, it's almost a metaphor - that I get the sense that people want our politicians to move, and they want them to move now.

"By that, I mean in terms of entering into those talks and in a way that will bring a positive result at the end of them."

A series of working groups have been set up and are due to be reviewed at the end of this week by the British and Irish Governments.

The DUP has insisted its confidence and supply deal with the Tory Party won't be affected by Theresa May's departue.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has been speaking to Q Radio: