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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Stormont crisis: DUP ministers in assembly quit threat | Stormont crisis: DUP ministers in assembly quit threat |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The DUP has said if the Northern Ireland Assembly is not adjourned or suspended their ministers will quit, amid an IRA row. | |
| DUP leader Peter Robinson warned that it could happen within 24 hours. | |
| However, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said he had been assured by David Cameron that he would not suspend the assembly. | |
| Doing so, said Mr McGuinness, would be "a grave mistake". | |
| A political crisis has been sparked in Northern Ireland following the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr. Police have said they believe IRA members were involved in the shooting. | |
| Sinn Féin has denied this and maintains the Provisional IRA no longer exists. | Sinn Féin has denied this and maintains the Provisional IRA no longer exists. |
| The PSNI chief constable also said there was no evidence that the killing was sanctioned by the organisation. | The PSNI chief constable also said there was no evidence that the killing was sanctioned by the organisation. |
| On Wednesday, well-known republican and northern chairman of Sinn Féin Bobby Storey was one of three men arrested over the murder. | On Wednesday, well-known republican and northern chairman of Sinn Féin Bobby Storey was one of three men arrested over the murder. |
| Speaking at a press conference later that day, Mr Robinson said: "If we can't stop the assembly by way of adjournment or suspension then we will take the step that will cause it to be brought to an abrupt halt." | Speaking at a press conference later that day, Mr Robinson said: "If we can't stop the assembly by way of adjournment or suspension then we will take the step that will cause it to be brought to an abrupt halt." |
| He said his party had sought a recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly's business committee on Thursday. | He said his party had sought a recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly's business committee on Thursday. |
| If the DUP could not secure an adjournment of the assembly at that meeting or if the Northern Ireland Secretary would not suspend the assembly, then DUP ministers would stand down, he said. | If the DUP could not secure an adjournment of the assembly at that meeting or if the Northern Ireland Secretary would not suspend the assembly, then DUP ministers would stand down, he said. |
| Mr McGuinness said he had spoken to both Mr Cameron and to Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny. Both were against any suspension. | |
| His party, he said, had taken a strong stance against "violence, criminality and those who would attempt to drag us back to past". | |
| "We're not going to jump to the tune of the inter-party rivalry that's being played out between both unionist parties at this time," he said. | |
| "I think it would be a grave mistake from the British government to suspend these institutions. I think it would send a very negative message. | |
| "Not only do all the politicians have a duty to provide strong, positive and decisive leadership, that must also be provided by the British and Irish governments." | |
| Political talks to try to resolve the crisis are taking place without the Ulster Unionists, who said they would not take part unless the status of the Provisional IRA is resolved. | Political talks to try to resolve the crisis are taking place without the Ulster Unionists, who said they would not take part unless the status of the Provisional IRA is resolved. |
| The UUP said it would not return to the talks unless the IRA issue was top of the agenda. | The UUP said it would not return to the talks unless the IRA issue was top of the agenda. |
| Speaking after the DUP statement on Wednesday, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said it was up to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to admit that the IRA existed. | Speaking after the DUP statement on Wednesday, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said it was up to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to admit that the IRA existed. |
| "Gerry Adams has to admit that the IRA exists with a structure, without that, it is all bluster," he said. | "Gerry Adams has to admit that the IRA exists with a structure, without that, it is all bluster," he said. |
| "Nothing is going to work unless Gerry Adams is honest about the IRA in 2015. It is now over to Sinn Féin." | "Nothing is going to work unless Gerry Adams is honest about the IRA in 2015. It is now over to Sinn Féin." |
| On Tuesday, DUP leader Mr Robinson warned that if devolution collapsed, it could be a decade before it returned. | On Tuesday, DUP leader Mr Robinson warned that if devolution collapsed, it could be a decade before it returned. |