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UUP to withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 27: Ulster Unionist party leader Mike Nesbitt (L) gives his views on the resignation of Northern Ireland Health Minister Jim Wells to waiting reporters at Stormont on April 27, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The resignation follows Mr. Wells remarks at a hustings where he linked same-sex relationships to child abuse. He later apologised for those comments. Police are also investigating an incident involving a lesbian couple during an election canvas by Mr. Wells in County Down on Saturday. Wells is a Westminster candidate for the DUP in the South Down constituency. Many political observers believe the DUP, with a probable 8-10 Westminster seats in the upcoming election could have an influential role to play if the General Election results in a hung parliment. The UUP have agreed a pact in some constituencies with the DUP to maximise the unionist vote. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

THE Ulster Unionist Party looks set to leave the Northern Ireland Executive and set up an opposition.

The move comes in the wake of a PSNI revelation that the Provisional IRA is still in existence.

Party leader Mike Nesbitt said in a statement today that it has led to a lack of “trust” which goes against the Good Friday Agreement.

“A founding principle of that agreement was the opportunity to build mutual trust between unionism, nationalism and republicanism,” Mr Nesbitt said.

“Seventeen years on, we are told the IRA still exists and that it has a command structure at a senior level.”

Mr Nesbitt said that his recommendation that the UUP withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive and form an opposition had the unanimous support of his elected representatives.

The PSNI issued a statement at the weekend following the death of Kevin McGuigan two weeks ago.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said there was no evidence to link the PIRA to the McGuigan shooting, but added: “At this stage we assess that some Provisional IRA organisational infrastructure continues to exist but has undergone significant change since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998.”

He also said the PSNI believe the PIRA does not exist for “paramilitary purposes”.

The claims were strongly denied by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams – something Mr Nesbitt also touched on in his statement.

“In response, Sinn Féin trot out their single transferrable speech of denial,” he said.

“That speech is threadbare. It has put a hole in the fabric of the agreement. That hole needs mended. The single transferrable speech of denial totally lacks credibility.

“If Sinn Féin is permitted to continue in government while the IRA is connected to murder, then it makes a mockery out of Stormont, and leaves it without any credibility.”

The UUP is expected to meet on Saturday to ratify the decision.

“Our vision remains that of a Northern Ireland that is totally peaceful and where everyone prospers – republicans, nationalists and unionists equally,” Mr Nesbitt said.

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