UUP condemn Sinn Fein 'reckless threat' over future of Stormont
Ulster Unionists have branded Sinn Fein warnings over power-sharing at Stormont a “reckless threat”.
The comments came from UUP leader deputy leader Diana Armstrong, who said the public are sick and tired of “this attitude that we can bring the government down in Northern Ireland”.
Earlier today, the nationalist party’s Conor Murphy claimed the assembly is in a “precarious place” – but blamed the DUP.
Mr Murphy was an MLA for 10 years and was Economy Minister for just under 12 months, but for the past year and a half has been a senator in the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking as the new Northern Ireland Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, visited the province for the first time in the role, the nationalist politician sparked a new row with the DUP.
Insisting his party is “wedded to power-sharing”, he claimed the DUP “is there because they have to be there”.
“The DUP have demonstrated that they don’t have a political will to make the assembly work and that poses bigger questions for power-sharing,” he said, adding: “The institutions are in a precarious place.
Democratic Unionist leader Gavin Robinson hit back, reinforcing he and his colleagues are “committed to not only the institutions but delivering for the people we are proud to represent”.
He said: “We don’t shy away from the challenges, and nor will we be goaded by that sort of commentary.
“We’re here today and we’re here every day willing to step up and stand up for the people of Northern Ireland.”
In the wake of the new war of words, Ms Armstrong hit out at Sinn Fein, stating it was “absolutely reckless” for any party “to suggest the institutions may not last”.
On the comments made by Sinn Fein about the position of Stormont she said: “I think that’s a reckless threat.
“I think people will look to that and say they’re tired of this attitude that we can bring the government down in Northern Ireland.
“Northern Ireland has come so far, and we need to keep on that journey.
“We’ll be asking those parties to be responsible and to deliver responsible leadership.”
Alliance leader Naomi Long has urged all sides in the new nationalist versus unionist dispute to “take a step back, take a deep breath and recognise elections will come and go, and we will still have to do business with each other, but focus for the next nine months [of the current Assembly term before 2027 elections] on what we can actually achieve”.
Meanwhile SDLP leader Matthew O’Toole said it would “shocking” for politicians to collapse Stormont by “walking off the job because it suits them” – but he warned that if the assembly does fall apart again “there is a risk it won’t come back”.
He stated: “I don’t know if Stormont is going to last until next May, but there will be no excuse for any party that seeks to collapse and destabilise it.”
As he visited today, the new Northern Ireland Secretary expressed his determination to “keep the show on the road” as budget rows continue in the Executive, though Sir Chris warned hadn’t come with a “chequebook” but instead a “checklist” of things he wants to see happen.