Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“The motion tabled by other parties on Sinn Féin’s deliberate breaching of the COVID-19 regulations is pathetically weak.
“All it can muster is not condemnation, but an expression of “disappointment” over Sinn Féin’s actions!
“Then, it limply makes a plaintiff call for apology- with the deputy First Minister having defiantly said she will “never apologise”.
“It is plain to me that this motion – which I was not asked to sign – was primarily designed to protect “the process”, rather than do anything that underscores Sinn Féin’s demonstrable unfitness for government. The message of its de minimus approach is clear: keeping law-breakers at the heart and top of government is, as in the past, more important than anything else.
“From the moment Arlene Foster declared there would be no governmental consequences, Sinn Fein knows it can stare down its Executive critics and so it will, strengthened in the realisation it can do whatever it likes.
“I have tabled an amendment to at least condemn Sinn Féin’s action and call for their resignations. Whether it is called for debate is up to the Sinn Fein Speaker!”