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Stormont crisis: DUP ministers move to adjourn Northern Ireland Assembly Stormont crisis: Northern Ireland Assembly adjournment to be discussed
(35 minutes later)
The DUP have asked for an MLAs' committee to meet later over whether to adjourn the Northern Ireland Assembly. A Stormont committee is to meet later to discuss adjourning the Northern Ireland Assembly.
DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party would resign from the Stormont Executive if the committee did not agree the proposal or if the government would not suspend the institutions. DUP leader Peter Robinson said his party would resign from the Stormont Executive if the committee did not agree the proposal or if the government does not suspend the institutions.
It follows a political crisis sparked by the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr.It follows a political crisis sparked by the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr.
This deepened after the arrests of three senior republicans on Wednesday.This deepened after the arrests of three senior republicans on Wednesday.
Sinn Féin's northern chairman Bobby Storey is one of the three men being questioned about the murder.Sinn Féin's northern chairman Bobby Storey is one of the three men being questioned about the murder.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said last month that Provisional IRA members had a role in Mr McGuigan Sr's murder.The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said last month that Provisional IRA members had a role in Mr McGuigan Sr's murder.
But he said there was no evidence at that stage that the killing had been sanctioned at a senior level of the organisation.But he said there was no evidence at that stage that the killing had been sanctioned at a senior level of the organisation.
The DUP now want the assembly to be adjourned. This would mean that ministers remain in office, but the assembly does not meet for a time.The DUP now want the assembly to be adjourned. This would mean that ministers remain in office, but the assembly does not meet for a time.
The DUP have asked for the assembly's business committee to meet on Thursday to discuss a proposal to do so. The DUP asked for the assembly's business committee to meet on Thursday to discuss a proposal to do so. Stewart Dickson, Alliance, said he had been told the committee would meet at 14:00 BST.
The party said if the committee did not agree, or if the Westminster government would not suspend Stormont, then DUP ministers would leave their posts.
Grave mistake
As the DUP are the largest party, the power-sharing institutions cannot operate without them.As the DUP are the largest party, the power-sharing institutions cannot operate without them.
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said it would be a grave mistake on the part of the British government to suspend the institutions.Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said it would be a grave mistake on the part of the British government to suspend the institutions.
Last week, the DUP put an adjournment motion to the assembly's business committee, but it was defeated after Alliance were the only party to back it. Last week, the DUP put an adjournment motion to the assembly's business committee, but it was defeated after Alliance was the only party to back it.
It is understood the SDLP met on Wednesday night to discuss the adjournment proposal.It is understood the SDLP met on Wednesday night to discuss the adjournment proposal.
The party have not definitively stated their position, but it is believed they are still against the idea of adjourning the assembly.The party have not definitively stated their position, but it is believed they are still against the idea of adjourning the assembly.
They are due to meet Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny in Dublin later. They are due to meet Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny in Dublin on Thursday morning.
Ulster Unionist Party MP Tom Elliott has described the calls for adjournment as "bluster" and has said the UUP would support the proposal if Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams "came up to the mark".Ulster Unionist Party MP Tom Elliott has described the calls for adjournment as "bluster" and has said the UUP would support the proposal if Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams "came up to the mark".
Previously UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said Mr Adams had to say that the IRA still existed and had structures.Previously UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said Mr Adams had to say that the IRA still existed and had structures.
Alliance Party leader David Ford has said his party are "exploring a number of options" so parties could "take a step back and participate in talks in a calm manner" - suggesting Alliance are prepared to support the adjournment proposal.Alliance Party leader David Ford has said his party are "exploring a number of options" so parties could "take a step back and participate in talks in a calm manner" - suggesting Alliance are prepared to support the adjournment proposal.
But the support of the Alliance Party alone would not be enough for the DUP proposal to be passed by the committee.But the support of the Alliance Party alone would not be enough for the DUP proposal to be passed by the committee.