Relationship between DUP and Sinn Fein ‘damaged yet again’ by ‘perverse decision’ of PPS over Bobby Storey funeral - Stormont recalled to debate motion of censure against Sinn Fein

It has emerged that the SDLP put forward the recall petition after it was announced there would be no prosecutions in relation to the funeral of Bobby Storey.

The funeral last June attracted 2,000 mourners, including Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

This morning on Good Morning Ulster First Minister Arlene Foster said “yesterday was an incredibly bad day for justice and the rule of law for policing”.

She said the decision by the PPS “was a perverse one and needs to be reviewed”.

Mrs Foster who yesterday called for the PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to resign added: “I have been really struck by the number of people who have contacted her to say they could not believe this has happened, what is going on in NI?”

She added that “relationships has been damaged yet again” between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

“This is not the end of the matter,” she added.

Earlier South Belfast SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said the recall would provide a “forum for accountability”.

The South Belfast MLA said the motion, which does not have any binding consequences, was not “political game play” but was about holding Sinn Féin ministers to account.

Mr Storey, 64, was a senior republican figure and the head of intelligence for the IRA in the 1990s.

The attendance of many senior Sinn Féin politicians at his funeral in west Belfast, at a time when strict limits on gatherings were in place, caused a political furore.

The actions of 24 Sinn Féin politicians, including Ms O’Neill, around potential breaches of Covid restrictions were examined.

The recall, scheduled for Thursday at midday, has the support of the DUP, Ulster Unionists, Alliance and the Green Party.