Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“As we surpass Belgium for lack of government, it’s well past time for Westminster action. The first duty of government is to govern, yet HMG fiddles while administration logjams.
“Just as with the inexcusable inaction on MLA pay, in the failure of HMG to move to British Rule it is hard not to suspect DUP acquiescence, maybe even complicity.
“It is DUP votes which keep this government in power, so why has that muscle not been applied to compel action to bring us government from Westminster. Is the common cause between the DUP and the Secretary of State that neither wants to admit the form of devolution they embraced is an unworkable failure and each hope that the absence of government will soften up unionists to accept Sinn Fein’s price?
“The DUP needs to prove itself and prove its power with Mrs May. In their privileged position the onus on the DUP to obtain direct rule government is immense.
“If Stormont can’t be reformed into a system of workable devolution, then it’s time to move on and give us government from the only other place it can come from, London. Enough is enough!”