In a surprise part of his speech to the House, the new First Minister met head-on, the speculation that he would take a tougher line in dealing with Martin McGuinness and co, because the DUP was concerned about its voter base.

Without naming Jim Allister and the Traditional Unionist Voice, he said: "Over recent months, falling upon our ears like a fire bell in the night, have been the claims that my party is somehow under pressure and likely to lose support because we are in the Executive.

"But let me assure you, Mr Speaker, our actions as we move forward will not be limited or governed by the snarl and screech of those jarring and rancorous voices that trade on creating fear."

He continued: "Parties have been built up and cast down from the earliest period of our history to the present day and no party has the right to expect unquestioning or automatic support from the people. Support has to be earned and trust must be maintained.

"It is true that people step cautiously when they are asked to tread new ground and the decision we took just over a year ago quite rightly must be judged by our voters. I believe the decision was right. I also believe that time is demonstrating our judgment was sound. There is nobody out there who can offer a better achievable way forward.

"My colleagues and I will justify to those who matter – the electorate of Northern Ireland – the judgment call we made."