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Stormont crisis: How the story unfolded Stormont crisis: How the story unfolded
(4 days later)
Stormont's political crisis was sparked by allegations Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Belfast man Kevin McGuigan Sr.Stormont's political crisis was sparked by allegations Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Belfast man Kevin McGuigan Sr.
A row erupted after a senior Sinn Féin member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death. He was later released without charge.A row erupted after a senior Sinn Féin member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death. He was later released without charge.
The crisis deepened when Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson stepped aside, along with all but one of the ministers from his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).The crisis deepened when Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson stepped aside, along with all but one of the ministers from his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Mr Robinson's announcement came after the DUP failed to get the Assembly adjourned for talks to address the situation.Mr Robinson's announcement came after the DUP failed to get the Assembly adjourned for talks to address the situation.
Why is the stability of the Northern Ireland devolved government under threat?Why is the stability of the Northern Ireland devolved government under threat?
For months the power-sharing executive at Stormont has been deadlocked over budgetary matters.For months the power-sharing executive at Stormont has been deadlocked over budgetary matters.
Underlying this disagreement was Sinn Féin's refusal to implement welfare reforms introduced elsewhere in the UK.Underlying this disagreement was Sinn Féin's refusal to implement welfare reforms introduced elsewhere in the UK.
However, the political crisis deepened last month after the police said current IRA members may have been involved in last month's murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr.However, the political crisis deepened last month after the police said current IRA members may have been involved in last month's murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr.
He was a former member of the Provisional IRA and according to police, one of a number of suspects in the murder of Gerard Jock Davison, who was shot dead in May.He was a former member of the Provisional IRA and according to police, one of a number of suspects in the murder of Gerard Jock Davison, who was shot dead in May.
Unionists argued that if the IRA remains active, Sinn Féin should be excluded from ministerial office.Unionists argued that if the IRA remains active, Sinn Féin should be excluded from ministerial office.
What action has the DUP taken?What action has the DUP taken?
DUP leader Mr Robinson has stepped aside as First Minister and three other DUP ministers have resigned in protest over allegations that the IRA still exists and its members were involved in Mr McGuigan's murder. DUP leader Mr Robinson has stepped aside as first minister and three other DUP ministers have resigned in protest over allegations that the IRA still exists and its members were involved in Mr McGuigan's murder.
Mr Robinson asked his party colleague Arlene Foster to take over as acting first minister and remain in her current post of finance minister.Mr Robinson asked his party colleague Arlene Foster to take over as acting first minister and remain in her current post of finance minister.
He said this was "to ensure that nationalists and republicans are not able to take financial and other decisions that may be detrimental to Northern Ireland".He said this was "to ensure that nationalists and republicans are not able to take financial and other decisions that may be detrimental to Northern Ireland".
Earlier this week, he also called an end to meetings of the Stormont Executive and said there would be no formal meetings between Northern Ireland ministers and their counterparts from the Republic of Ireland. Last week, he also called an end to meetings of the Stormont Executive and said there would be no formal meetings between Northern Ireland ministers and their counterparts from the Republic of Ireland.
On Thursday the assembly's business committee voted against adjournment.On Thursday the assembly's business committee voted against adjournment.
Mr Robinson can ensure the Executive does not meet, because it must be convened jointly by him and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.Mr Robinson can ensure the Executive does not meet, because it must be convened jointly by him and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Why has the DUP moved now?Why has the DUP moved now?
The DUP initially wanted Sinn Féin excluded from ministerial office, but such a proposal would be defeated in the Stormont Assembly because it would require cross-community support.The DUP initially wanted Sinn Féin excluded from ministerial office, but such a proposal would be defeated in the Stormont Assembly because it would require cross-community support.
The second largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionists, turned up the pressure on the DUP by withdrawing their only minister from the power-sharing executive.The second largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionists, turned up the pressure on the DUP by withdrawing their only minister from the power-sharing executive.
The DUP has asked Prime Minister David Cameron to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly, but following the DUP resignations, Mr Cameron's spokesperson said "the UK government did not believe it would be right to introduce emergency legislation now to suspend the assembly".The DUP has asked Prime Minister David Cameron to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly, but following the DUP resignations, Mr Cameron's spokesperson said "the UK government did not believe it would be right to introduce emergency legislation now to suspend the assembly".
Have Northern Ireland Executive meetings been disrupted in this way before?Have Northern Ireland Executive meetings been disrupted in this way before?
The power-sharing executive, which brings together all 15 Stormont ministers, normally meets every fortnight.The power-sharing executive, which brings together all 15 Stormont ministers, normally meets every fortnight.
In 2008, Sinn Féin declined to convene a meeting of the executive for five months, because the party was frustrated about delays to the planned transfer of justice powers to the devolved government. The dispute was resolved in cross-party talks.In 2008, Sinn Féin declined to convene a meeting of the executive for five months, because the party was frustrated about delays to the planned transfer of justice powers to the devolved government. The dispute was resolved in cross-party talks.
What happens now the DUP ministers have resigned?What happens now the DUP ministers have resigned?
The Executive cannot survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers - but that has not happened.The Executive cannot survive the resignation of all its unionist ministers - but that has not happened.
Finance Minister Arlene Foster is now acting first minister, after Peter Robinson stepped aside.Finance Minister Arlene Foster is now acting first minister, after Peter Robinson stepped aside.
Under the current legislation, the resignation of the first minister would trigger an election in Northern Ireland earlier than the scheduled date, which is May 2016.Under the current legislation, the resignation of the first minister would trigger an election in Northern Ireland earlier than the scheduled date, which is May 2016.
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has declined the DUP's request to pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive, and the prime minister has said there must be "intensive cross-party talks" to resolve Stormont's problems.Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has declined the DUP's request to pass an emergency law enabling her to suspend the executive, and the prime minister has said there must be "intensive cross-party talks" to resolve Stormont's problems.
On Friday, she announced that the government had commissioned a "factual assessment" from the United Kingdom's security agencies and the PSNI on the status of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.