Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today’s announcement by the DUP is shocking in that it is much weaker than even those who have seen the graduated response and the threatened resignation over On The Run letters would expect.
“An Executive that doesn’t work and cannot deliver isn’t going to meet. Big deal.
“While the DUP say the Executive will not meet by virtue of the fact that they retain their Ministerial posts they are ensuring that Sinn Fein/IRA Ministers retain office. This after the Finance Minister Mrs Foster told the Nolan Show this morning that Sinn Fein remains inextricably linked to the IRA. Indeed in the co-First Minister’s statement this morning he suggested that the Sinn Fein link to the murder is much greater than has so far been revealed!
“All of this proves that the DUP sold terrorist inclusive government to the Unionist people on a false premise. They argued that things had now radically changed because of IRA decommissioning. They even stopped using the full and proper title for the Republican movement – Sinn Fein/IRA – because they claimed that the IRA had gone away.
“Everyone now knows that not only does the IRA exist but we also know that decommissioning was a con.
“So why do the DUP remain in office with them?
“The DUP say that Sinn Fein is inextricably linked to the IRA. The uncomfortable truth for them to face is that they are now the only Unionist party which is inextricably linked to Sinn Fein/IRA by virtue of retaining their Ministerial positions.
“The DUP have put office ahead of principle. I look forward to the electorate passing their verdict upon that decision.”