Robinson warns DUP could crash Assembly tomorrow

First Minister Peter Robinson warned on Wednesday afternoon that the DUP will collapse the Northern Executive and Assembly if the Stormont Assembly is not adjourned or suspended.

Responding to the arrests of three senior republicans in connection with the murder of Kevin McGuigan the DUP leader warned that Stormont could crash as early as Thursday if sittings of the Assembly were not adjourned.

Mr Robinson wants Assembly adjournment to facilitate a sole political focus on the current crisis Stormont House talks. The First Minister's walkout threat was prompted by the arrests this morning of Sinn Féin Northern Ireland chairman Bobby Storey and two other senior republicans, Brian Gillen and Eddie Copeland.

Previously the Stormont business committee rejected DUP calls for the Assembly to be adjourned, with Sinn Féin, Ulster Unionist Party and SDLP members of the committee rejecting the DUP adjournment motion. Alliance supported the motion.

Now however Mr Robinson has requested the business committee to meet again on Thursday morning to consider another request.

Sinn Féin, the UUP and the SDLP will be faced with changing tack or seeing the possible end of this Stormont administration.

Mr Robinson warned that without adjournment or alternatively the Northern Secretary suspending the Assembly that he and his fellow DUP would exit the Northern Executive, which inevitably would bring down the current powersharing administration.

Without adjournment or suspension “Ministerial resignations will follow immediately”, said Mr Robinson.

“The DUP has made it clear it will not be involved in business as usual. Other parties must now step up to the mark and stop the Assembly from proceeding as if nothing has happened,” he added.

“We have attempted to create the space for these matters to be dealt with but if others want the Assembly to function normally in spite of Sinn Féin’s position we will have reached the point where, as a last resort, we will take this final step,” said Mr Robinson.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny contacted the North’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on Wednesday following the arrests.

Sinn Fein’s Northern chairman Bobby Storey was one of the men arrested.

Mr Kenny and Mr McGuinness spoke on the telephone for 10 to 15 minutes and the call was characterised as “businesslike” by the Government spokesman.

"The Taoiseach informed him of his view that Sinn Fein had a responsibility to ensure that the talks continue and the Executive continues," he said.

Asked if the Taoiseach believed the primary responsibility for continued lack of progress in the North lay with Sinn Fein, the Government spokesman said no.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet briefing, he said Mr Kenny had emphasised the need for all parties in Northern Ireland to support the Northern institutions and engage in the current talks process.

“Peace has been hard won and has to be respected,” he added.

He said if the Northern institutions collapsed a “democratic void” would be created, “and that’s dangerous”.

Asked if the Government could be accused of neglecting Northern Ireland and the peace process, he said: “That’s Micheal Martin’s attempt to remind people of the one decent thing Fianna Fail did in the last 20 years.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan briefed fellow Ministers on developments in Northern Ireland during the Cabinet meeting.