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Peter Robinson warns unionists could vote Sinn Féin out of NI assembly Peter Robinson warns unionists could vote Sinn Féin out of NI assembly
(35 minutes later)
Peter Robinson, the Northern Ireland first minister, has warned that unionists may vote to exclude Sinn Fein from the region’s power-sharing executive and by doing so signal the collapse of devolution. Peter Robinson, the Northern Ireland first minister, has warned that unionists may vote to exclude Sinn Féin from the region’s power-sharing executive and by doing so signal the collapse of devolution.
Robinson is to hold talks with the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after a senior officer said on Thursday that Provisional IRA members (PIRA) were suspected of being behind last week’s killing of the former republican prisoner Kevin McGuigan.Robinson is to hold talks with the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after a senior officer said on Thursday that Provisional IRA members (PIRA) were suspected of being behind last week’s killing of the former republican prisoner Kevin McGuigan.
The PIRA was supposed to have decommissioned its weapons and been disbanded as a paramilitary force in 2005 as part of the conditions leading to unionists sharing power with Sinn Fein. The PIRA was supposed to have decommissioned its weapons and been disbanded as a paramilitary force in 2005 as part of the conditions leading to unionists sharing power with Sinn Féin.
One of Robinson’s colleagues, Gregory Campbell, the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) MP for East Derry, said “there can be no question of devolution continuing” if there is a proven link between McGuigan’s murder and any reconstituted PIRA command structure.One of Robinson’s colleagues, Gregory Campbell, the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) MP for East Derry, said “there can be no question of devolution continuing” if there is a proven link between McGuigan’s murder and any reconstituted PIRA command structure.
Evidence of any PIRA leadership-sanctioned role in the McGuigan killing will be the key to whether or not the DUP remains in government with Sinn Fein, as the coalition’s two principal parties. Evidence of any PIRA leadership-sanctioned role in the McGuigan killing will be the key to whether or not the DUP remains in government with Sinn Féin, as the coalition’s two principal parties.
Pressure is mounting within the DUP for the party’s leadership to act decisively in the light of the PSNI statement confirming the suspected involvement of PIRA veterans in the murder.Pressure is mounting within the DUP for the party’s leadership to act decisively in the light of the PSNI statement confirming the suspected involvement of PIRA veterans in the murder.
Arlene Foster, the DUP finance minister at Stormont and a possible contender to become the next first minister if Robinson retires, said this was a “very serious time for power-sharing in Northern Ireland”.Arlene Foster, the DUP finance minister at Stormont and a possible contender to become the next first minister if Robinson retires, said this was a “very serious time for power-sharing in Northern Ireland”.
Robinson said there was “no place for terror and murderous activity on our streets, and republicans cannot be in the executive in circumstances where this murder was the work of the IRA”.Robinson said there was “no place for terror and murderous activity on our streets, and republicans cannot be in the executive in circumstances where this murder was the work of the IRA”.
On his forthcoming meeting with George Hamilton, the PSNI chief constable, Robinson said: “We will have discussions with other parties about tabling the necessary exclusion motion in and asking the secretary of state to intervene in circumstances where the evidence points to the IRA being involved.”On his forthcoming meeting with George Hamilton, the PSNI chief constable, Robinson said: “We will have discussions with other parties about tabling the necessary exclusion motion in and asking the secretary of state to intervene in circumstances where the evidence points to the IRA being involved.”
Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Fein assembly member and former IRA volunteer, insisted the PIRA had left the stage and no longer existed. Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Féin assembly member and former IRA volunteer, insisted the PIRA “had left the stage” and no longer existed.
The so-called Action Against Drugs group, which the PSNI has said is comprised of IRA members, republican dissidents and criminals, was described by Kelly as a “criminal gang”.The so-called Action Against Drugs group, which the PSNI has said is comprised of IRA members, republican dissidents and criminals, was described by Kelly as a “criminal gang”.
But many within the Belfast nationalist-republican community believe it is a front organisation for IRA veterans designed to take revenge against enemies including those they blame for May’s killing of the IRA commander Gerard “Jock” Davison.But many within the Belfast nationalist-republican community believe it is a front organisation for IRA veterans designed to take revenge against enemies including those they blame for May’s killing of the IRA commander Gerard “Jock” Davison.
IRA veterans believe McGuigan assassinated Davison as a result of a bitter vendetta between the two men. McGuigan, a one time close associate of Davison’s, fell out with the former Belfast IRA leader. However, McGuigan through his solicitor denied any role in killing Davison. IRA veterans believe McGuigan assassinated Davison as a result of a bitter vendetta between the two men. McGuigan, a one time close associate of Davison’s, fell out with the former Belfast IRA leader. McGuigan, through his solicitor, denied any role in killing Davison.
Veteran IRA members have set up an internal investigation headed up by two leading figures in the Belfast republican movement. They interrogated a number of witnesses in the Market area of the city, where Davison was gunned down three months ago. Their descriptions of the lone attacker who shot Davison matched McGuigan’s description.Veteran IRA members have set up an internal investigation headed up by two leading figures in the Belfast republican movement. They interrogated a number of witnesses in the Market area of the city, where Davison was gunned down three months ago. Their descriptions of the lone attacker who shot Davison matched McGuigan’s description.
A 60-year-old man has become the eighth person to be arrested and questioned by PSNI detectives over McGuigan’s death. He was arrested in the Short Strand district of east Belfast close to where McGuigan was shot dead nine days ago.A 60-year-old man has become the eighth person to be arrested and questioned by PSNI detectives over McGuigan’s death. He was arrested in the Short Strand district of east Belfast close to where McGuigan was shot dead nine days ago.
Pat Fitzpatrick, 53, has been charged with possessing a Glock automatic pistol with intent to endanger life. Fitzpatrick was denied bail at Lisburn magistrates court after objections from a crown lawyer.Pat Fitzpatrick, 53, has been charged with possessing a Glock automatic pistol with intent to endanger life. Fitzpatrick was denied bail at Lisburn magistrates court after objections from a crown lawyer.