Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“As the talks rumble on, it is becoming clear that there is no serious discussion of any meaningful reform of Stormont such as would make it workable. All that is on offer is the same failed system, if the DUP is prepared to pay the Sinn Fein price.
“The concept of accountable democratic structures with an effective Opposition seems alien to all that is on the table.
“The fact that in the Stormont bubble even the notion of an Opposition is viewed as undesirable demonstrates how self defeating and antithetical to workable devolution these talks are.
“In plain political terms what the DUP is being offered is, at best, a Belfast City Hall style arrangement of non-unionist control at Stormont which Sinn Fein can thwart at any moment of its choosing. Why any unionist would see any merit in such is beyond me.
“I say it again for the umpteenth time, this Stormont will never work because Sinn Féin does not want Northern Ireland to work. Simple! Who is trying to fool who?”