Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Tonight’s news that MPs will be permitted to contest the Assembly election while retaining their Westminster seats is a shameless fix. Is this the last throw of the dice, a desperate attempt by the DUP to reverse their nosedive in the polls?
“If so, I suspect they will be in for a rude awakening. Dual mandates were abolished for good reason. The public demanded a policy of one man / woman one job. They are unlikely to be impressed at this policy being reversed.
“The only thing which has changed since the abolition of dual mandates is the desperation of the DUP. What price have they paid for this? Is this why they toned down their Protocol opposition?”