Andrew Muir

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By Gareth Gordon & Jayne McCormackBBC News NI Political Correspondents

Sinn Féin has said it will not attend talks involving the Foreign Secretary because its party president Mary Lou McDonald has been " excluded".

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris are due to meet political and business leaders.

The Talks are expected to Focus On the NI Protocol and stalemate in Stormont.

But Sinn Féin said the government's decision to, in their words, " exclude" Ms McDonald from Wednesday's talks was " an extraordinary turn of events. "

As a result The Party said it will not be taking part in The Talks at all.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) has also said it will not attend The Talks unless Ms McDonald is allowed to take part.

Stormont's power-sharing government collapsed almost a year a go when the Democratic Unionist Party pulled its First Minister out of office in protest over the Northern Ireland Protocol .

In a statement, Sinn Féin said it wanted to " work together with The Other parties and the two governments to get The Job done".

" This is a time for inclusion, dialogue and engagement. This is a time for mature and civil politics. There is no room for Bad Faith and petulance from The British government, " The Statement added.

'Absolutely daft'

If Wednesday's meeting Goes Ahead in Belfast, it will be overshadowed by this row.

Speaking to Bbc News NI at The Talks venue, SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole called it an " absolutely daft" and " surreal" decision to exclude Ms McDonald from The Talks .

He Said his party could not " in good faith" attend the discussions as they should be about " maximum inclusion".

Alliance's Andrew Muir and Paula Bradshaw said The Row was a " distraction" and That it was up to individual parties to decide who they send to The Talks .

The DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also arrived for The Talks but He Said nothing to journalists on The Way in.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister ) Leo Varadkar will hold separate talks in Northern Ireland on Thursday.

The visits follow a UK agreement with the EU

That agreement was reached in talks on Monday between Mr Cleverly and the Vice President of the European Commission , Maros Šefčovič, which both sides said provided a " new basis" for talks.

Plants and seeds

Ahead of his Belfast visit, Mr Cleverly said issues remained with the Protocol - - That risked and undermined The Place of Northern Ireland in the UK.

" My preference is for a negotiated solution, but the UK's priority is protecting the Belfast (Good Friday ) Agreement and preserving political stability in Northern Ireland , " He Said .

" I Am listening to the concerns of people and businesses in Northern Ireland and am keenly aware That the current situation isn't working.

Political paralysis over Protocol

Stormont has not had a fully-functioning executive since February Last Year , when the DUP withdrew as part of its ongoing protest against the Protocol .

It keeps Northern Ireland aligned with the EU's single market for goods, avoiding the need for a hard border with the Irish Republic after Brexit.

However, it also creates a new trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, something the EU accepts is causing difficulties for many businesses.

Some unionists say it is also undermining Northern Ireland 's place in the UK.

The UK says the Protocol is not working and plans to override most of the agreement if the EU does not agree to changes.

The British ministers were due to hold round-table talks with representatives from Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP.

Earlier, Mr Heaton-Harris called for a speedy return to devolved government.

" What people in Northern Ireland want most is to see their elected politicians back at work, " He Said .

" Accountable Political Leadership is fundamental to secure a sustainable future for All In NI. "

The Next deadline for restoring an Executive runs out next Thursday (19 January).

It is highly unlikely to be met, which means Mr Heaton-Harris is expected to trigger another 12-week period to allow the Protocol negotiations to make progress.

Source of news: bbc.com