Devolution must be restored to Northern Ireland without delay, a senior Sinn Fein MP has warned.

Amid growing frustration at the stalemate in the province, Pat Doherty said the government must establish a firm date for assembly elections.

Plans for a May election were shelved following the suspension of the devolved government in the wake of spying claims.

But republicans are demanding that the government honours its commitment to an autumn election.

"Various unionists in recent days have been attempting to dodge the core problem in this process," said Doherty.

"The political institutions are at the very centre of the Good Friday Agreement.

"The absence of these institutions and the cancellation of the Assembly elections by the British government has caused enormous difficulties."

Doherty accused ministers of giving in to unacceptable demands from unionists.

"This situation has been exacerbated by the continual pandering to negative and reactionary unionism by the British government," he added.

"If the crisis in the political process is to be resolved the British government must end its patronage of the Ulster Unionist Party.

"A firm date for the postponed election must be set. The British government's moratorium on politics must be ended."