Statement by Jim Allister MLA:
“I welcome the decision by the UUP to leave the now wholly discredited Executive.
“It came as no surprise to TUV that the IRA was still armed and active, and as such, Sinn Fein had a private army on the streets while they sat in government. We have long maintained that Sinn Fein is unfit for government.
“TUV have consistently made the case for democratic reform of Stormont and in particular having an opposition, therefore it is better late than never for the UUP to make a move in our direction.
“If the DUP turns a blind eye then they are licencing the IRA to murder again. The time has come for the DUP and the Secretary of State to put an end to this corruption of democracy. If Sinn Fein are permitted to continue in government while the IRA is connected to murder, then it makes a mockery out of Stormont, and leaves it without any credibility.”