Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“The Stormont Shambles is so dire it barely needs comment. The Executive parties are at war with no regard to the needs and interests of those to whom they are supposed to be providing government.
“One thing is clear, we can’t go on like this. It is time to put this Executive out of its misery.
“The fresh start we need is not the dishonest figleaf of 2016, but the sweeping away of the failure and fragments of mandatory coalition. Only a voluntary coalition of the willing stands any chance of bringing stable government. How many times does the present farce have to fail before that reality dawns?
“It is time to drain the swamp.
“There is no point in yet another attempt to glue together this failed system. Instead, bring in Direct Rule ministers to give stability and government, but this time make it accountable by keeping the Assembly as the lawmaking and scrutiny body. When local politicians are mature enough to form a voluntary coalition, then executive powers can return.”