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UUP-PUP link 'against the rules' UUP-PUP link 'against the rules'
(30 minutes later)
The assembly speaker Eileen Bell has ruled that the assembly link between the UUP and the PUP is contrary to the rules of the assembly.The assembly speaker Eileen Bell has ruled that the assembly link between the UUP and the PUP is contrary to the rules of the assembly.
She said the reason for the ruling was the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Group did not have the characteristics of a party as laid down in legislation. She said the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Group did not have the characteristics of a party as laid down in the legislation governing parties.
The act she referred to was the Political Parties, elections and Referendums Act 2000. Mrs Bell told assembly members that she had sought legal advice ahead of her decision.
Mrs Bell said she had sought legal advice ahead of her decision. Mr Ervine said the ruling "flew in the face of logic".
She said the UUPAG, which was formed as a result of the alliance, did not have a headquarters, at least one party leader and a scheme for financial support. "You can tell me that I have to have forced coalition, but that within this building (Stormont) - which is supposed to be the epitome of democracy for Northern Ireland - we can't have voluntary coalition," he said.
Mrs Bell said the UUPAG, which was formed as a result of the alliance, did not have a headquarters, at least one party leader and a scheme for financial support.
The Ulster Unionists had came under widespread pressure after allowing PUP leader David Ervine to join their assembly group earlier this year.The Ulster Unionists had came under widespread pressure after allowing PUP leader David Ervine to join their assembly group earlier this year.
'Negatives''Negatives'
The PUP is aligned with the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force.The PUP is aligned with the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force.
At the weekend, an Ulster Unionist assembly member said he now believed the party's assembly alliance with the PUP was "untenable".At the weekend, an Ulster Unionist assembly member said he now believed the party's assembly alliance with the PUP was "untenable".
Assembly member Esmond Birnie said the section of the latest IMC report dealing with UVF activity was "grim".Assembly member Esmond Birnie said the section of the latest IMC report dealing with UVF activity was "grim".
He said it contained so many negatives that the link could not be maintained.He said it contained so many negatives that the link could not be maintained.
I think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do Peter RobinsonI think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do Peter Robinson
"I am someone who has said previously that the UUP pact with the PUP would always have to be conditional and subject to rigorous evaluation in the light of events."I am someone who has said previously that the UUP pact with the PUP would always have to be conditional and subject to rigorous evaluation in the light of events.
"The litany of events over the last four months has been deeply disturbing," Mr Birnie said."The litany of events over the last four months has been deeply disturbing," Mr Birnie said.
"As it stands at the moment I believe that this report renders the UUP's pact with the PUP untenable.""As it stands at the moment I believe that this report renders the UUP's pact with the PUP untenable."
The party's only MP, Lady Hermon, had previously called for the link to be severed The party's only MP, Lady Hermon, had previously called for the link to be severed.
In June, the former Young Unionist chairman Peter Bowles left the UUP in protest at the link.In June, the former Young Unionist chairman Peter Bowles left the UUP in protest at the link.
The Ulster Unionist leadership has said the assembly alliance with the PUP does not represent an arrangement with the UVF.The Ulster Unionist leadership has said the assembly alliance with the PUP does not represent an arrangement with the UVF.
The move was aimed at giving them an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein's expense if a power-sharing executive is formed.The move was aimed at giving them an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein's expense if a power-sharing executive is formed.
Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said the long-term goal of the link was to end loyalist paramilitarism.Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said the long-term goal of the link was to end loyalist paramilitarism.
The deputy leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, said that the ruling meant that the UUP had been split by the issue, but would gain no advantage in assembly seats.The deputy leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, said that the ruling meant that the UUP had been split by the issue, but would gain no advantage in assembly seats.
"I think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do," he said."I think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do," he said.