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Stormont crisis: Ulster Unionist warning over Sinn Féin's IRA denial Stormont crisis: Ulster Unionist warning over Sinn Féin's IRA denial
(34 minutes later)
Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt has said Sinn Féin's continual denial of the IRA's existence will "kill or cure" devolution in Northern Ireland.Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt has said Sinn Féin's continual denial of the IRA's existence will "kill or cure" devolution in Northern Ireland.
He was speaking after a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers.He was speaking after a meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers.
Ms Villiers is meeting the five main political parties on Monday.Ms Villiers is meeting the five main political parties on Monday.
Mr Nesbitt said his party is due to meet her again on Wednesday for bilateral talks. Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said if the talks fail the "next logical step" is an election.
Mr Nesbitt said his party is due to meet Ms Villiers again on Wednesday for bilateral talks.
He said they would also hold bilateral talks with the Irish government later on Monday.He said they would also hold bilateral talks with the Irish government later on Monday.
Mr Nesbitt said he had cautioned Ms Villiers "against holding a round table discussion at this time until the Secretary of State gets a feeling for where others, particularly Sinn Féin are with regard to the way forward".Mr Nesbitt said he had cautioned Ms Villiers "against holding a round table discussion at this time until the Secretary of State gets a feeling for where others, particularly Sinn Féin are with regard to the way forward".
"It is clear to us that the Secretary of State agrees with our assessment that Sinn Féin's continual denial of the existence of the IRA is doing huge damage to the political process," he added."It is clear to us that the Secretary of State agrees with our assessment that Sinn Féin's continual denial of the existence of the IRA is doing huge damage to the political process," he added.
"If there are to be talks this, I believe, will kill or cure the devolved government."If there are to be talks this, I believe, will kill or cure the devolved government.
"We impressed upon her [Ms Villiers], that there needs to be a parallel process to deal with the IRA and organised crime by both republicans and loyalists."We impressed upon her [Ms Villiers], that there needs to be a parallel process to deal with the IRA and organised crime by both republicans and loyalists.
"It cannot be a bargaining chip in terms of implementing the Stormont House Agreement. "It cannot be a bargaining chip in terms of implementing the Stormont House Agreement."
Alex Attwood of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said this week was a "big test for all the political parties, but it is an even bigger test for the two governments".Alex Attwood of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said this week was a "big test for all the political parties, but it is an even bigger test for the two governments".
He said the political negotiations would be judged by the public on whether there was a return to the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement and the defence of the rule of law.He said the political negotiations would be judged by the public on whether there was a return to the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement and the defence of the rule of law.
"Those are the twin pillars of the future and they are the two tests that the two governments have to demonstrate unambiguously that they are with those parties who stand for the Good Friday Agreement and stand for the rule of law," he said."Those are the twin pillars of the future and they are the two tests that the two governments have to demonstrate unambiguously that they are with those parties who stand for the Good Friday Agreement and stand for the rule of law," he said.
Alliance leader David Ford said his party had a "useful meeting" with Ms Villiers and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, looking at the arrangements "for the talks that are due to take place".Alliance leader David Ford said his party had a "useful meeting" with Ms Villiers and the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, looking at the arrangements "for the talks that are due to take place".
He said Alliance had made it clear that it was determined to resolve the outstanding issues.He said Alliance had made it clear that it was determined to resolve the outstanding issues.
Q&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisisQ&A: Northern Ireland Executive crisis
Stormont's political crisis was sparked by allegations that Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan.Stormont's political crisis was sparked by allegations that Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan.
The row erupted after a senior Sinn Féin member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death.The row erupted after a senior Sinn Féin member was arrested as part of the inquiry into Mr McGuigan's death.
Read more.Read more.
Previous talks broke up last week after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister of Northern Ireland.Previous talks broke up last week after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson stood aside as first minister of Northern Ireland.
His move, and the resignation of three DUP ministers, followed police claims IRA members were involved in a murder.His move, and the resignation of three DUP ministers, followed police claims IRA members were involved in a murder.
Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Mitchel McLaughlin read out a list of the DUP ministerial resignations on Monday.Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Mitchel McLaughlin read out a list of the DUP ministerial resignations on Monday.
The DUP said the negotiations have to take place under the right conditions.The DUP said the negotiations have to take place under the right conditions.
The party has been in contact with the government over the weekend.The party has been in contact with the government over the weekend.
Mr Robinson's decision to step aside last Thursday was announced after three senior republicans were arrested by police investigating the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr.Mr Robinson's decision to step aside last Thursday was announced after three senior republicans were arrested by police investigating the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr.
Mr McGuigan was shot dead near his home in east Belfast last month.Mr McGuigan was shot dead near his home in east Belfast last month.
The men, who included Sinn Féin's northern chairman Bobby Storey, were later all released without charge.The men, who included Sinn Féin's northern chairman Bobby Storey, were later all released without charge.
On Sunday, Mr Storey claimed the police had no basis to detain him.On Sunday, Mr Storey claimed the police had no basis to detain him.
In a Sinn Féin press conference, he also said the IRA had "gone" and was "not coming back".In a Sinn Féin press conference, he also said the IRA had "gone" and was "not coming back".