Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Executive disagreement and feet-dragging has resulted in a gap where there will be no Attorney General in office for some months. This is in spite of the fact that they have known since the return of devolution in January that John Larkin’s term of office ended this month, yet they failed to deal with the issue expeditiously.
“Weeks ago I tabled a question to the Executive Office asking for clarity around the issues which this vacancy creates. As is typical of the Executive it remains unanswered.
“Mr Larkin has performed the role with great alacrity and skill and it is my view that it would have been preferable and made more sense to have extended his term to the end of the Assembly mandate.”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s question which was due to be answered on 22nd May but still hasn’t been responded to reads:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, if the Attorney General’s term of office expires without a replacement in position, to detail (I) who will provide legal advice to the Executive; and (ii) who will perform the relevant statutory functions in relation to Assembly legislation. [Priority Written]