Statement by TUV North Down spokesperson Peter Wilson:
“It is deeply ironic that Stephen Farry should today be calling for Unionists to be denied the right to exercise the mechanisms of the Belfast Agreement to veto the establishment of a government because this goes against the will of the majority of MLAs.
“I say ironic because in Ards and North Down Council his party has abused the call in procedure to stop the flying of the Union Flag on war memorials across the Borough. This is in spite of the fact that the majority of those who responded to an Equality Impact Assessment supported flying the Flag, a situation replicated on council.
“Now a call in signed by a mere six of 40 members is being used to frustrate the will of the people of North Down and Ards – and indeed the Council.
“If Mr Farry wants to address the abuse of majority vetoes he should look at the actions of his party colleagues in his own backyard before talking about anyone else”.