Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Tonight’s vote in the Commons to usurp devolved powers on same sex marriage and abortion is not just a challenge to the essence of devolution, but is a calculated attempt to bring coercion to bear on the Stormont talks – once more in aid of the Sinn Fein agenda and as a means of pressurising the DUP.
“The challenge to the DUP is obvious. Will they roll over on Sinn Fein Irish Language Act demands to regain what passes for power at Stormont, or will they give legs to the principles they espouse on same sex marriage and abortion, by making retreat by HMG on these issues the price of their ‘confidence and supply’.
“Make no mistake, the DUP has the means to thwart this meddling by making the status quo of devolved control of these issues the cost of the new confidence and supply arrangements which require to be negotiated with the new Prime Minister. If it does so, then it will dispel any suspicion that there is mutual advantage across the power-seeking Stormont parties to have these issues removed from the mix.”