26/08/2015
UUP Intends To Withdraw From NI Executive - Nesbitt
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has been recommended to withdraw from the NI Executive over recent claims that the Provisional IRA still exists.
UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt said Sinn Féin has "no credibility" and the UUP has "no trust" in the party.
Unionists had threatened to exclude Sinn Féin after the police said the PIRA still exists and linked its members to the murder of Kevin McGuigan in east Belfast earlier this month.
Mr Nesbitt said: "I have just chaired a meeting of our MLA Group, also attended by our MEP, our MPs, senior officers of our Councillors’ Association and our Party Chairman representing our Party Officers.
"I gave them my analysis of where we are.
"I gave them my recommendation, which they accepted unanimously.
The next step is to call a Meeting of our own Executive, to ask them to endorse our collective decision.
"That decision is to withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive, to form an Opposition and offer people an alternative, as is the way in any proper democracy.
"We are in a bad place, but this can be fixed.
"But the IRA need to go away and stop terrorising their own communities.
"So do the UDA, and UVF and Red Hand Commando – and the rest.
"And I wouldn't argue if they took down their paramilitary flags on the way out."
(CD)
UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt said Sinn Féin has "no credibility" and the UUP has "no trust" in the party.
Unionists had threatened to exclude Sinn Féin after the police said the PIRA still exists and linked its members to the murder of Kevin McGuigan in east Belfast earlier this month.
Mr Nesbitt said: "I have just chaired a meeting of our MLA Group, also attended by our MEP, our MPs, senior officers of our Councillors’ Association and our Party Chairman representing our Party Officers.
"I gave them my analysis of where we are.
"I gave them my recommendation, which they accepted unanimously.
The next step is to call a Meeting of our own Executive, to ask them to endorse our collective decision.
"That decision is to withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive, to form an Opposition and offer people an alternative, as is the way in any proper democracy.
"We are in a bad place, but this can be fixed.
"But the IRA need to go away and stop terrorising their own communities.
"So do the UDA, and UVF and Red Hand Commando – and the rest.
"And I wouldn't argue if they took down their paramilitary flags on the way out."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 September 2015
UUP Walk Out Of Crisis Talks
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) will not be taking part in crisis talks to be continued in Stormont on Wednesday. The UUP walked out of the talks on Tuesday and the party's leader, Mike Nesbitt, said they will not return until the issue on the status of the IRA has been resolved.
UUP Walk Out Of Crisis Talks
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) will not be taking part in crisis talks to be continued in Stormont on Wednesday. The UUP walked out of the talks on Tuesday and the party's leader, Mike Nesbitt, said they will not return until the issue on the status of the IRA has been resolved.
30 August 2002
UUP meet to schedule council meeting
Ulster Unionist Party officers are meeting in Co Fermanagh today to decide the scheduling of the council meeting forced by hardliners within the party. Hardline elements from within the party gathered the 60 signatures needed to force an emergency meeting of the 860-strong council on Monday.
UUP meet to schedule council meeting
Ulster Unionist Party officers are meeting in Co Fermanagh today to decide the scheduling of the council meeting forced by hardliners within the party. Hardline elements from within the party gathered the 60 signatures needed to force an emergency meeting of the 860-strong council on Monday.
21 June 2021
DUP To Elect New Leader On 26 June
The DUP are set to elect a new leader on Saturday 26 June, Party Chairman Lord Marrow has confirmed. A new leader is being sought following the resignation of Edwin Poots after just 21 days. Lord Marrow said: "The Party Officers have set the date of Saturday 26th June as the date for a meeting to elect a new leader.
DUP To Elect New Leader On 26 June
The DUP are set to elect a new leader on Saturday 26 June, Party Chairman Lord Marrow has confirmed. A new leader is being sought following the resignation of Edwin Poots after just 21 days. Lord Marrow said: "The Party Officers have set the date of Saturday 26th June as the date for a meeting to elect a new leader.
18 October 2001
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
30 August 2024
Mike Nesbitt Remains Only Potential UUP Leader Candidate
Mike Nesbitt remains the only candidate to replace Doug Beattie as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party(UUP). Mr Beattie announced he was stepping down as leader of the party last week, citing "irreconcilable differences" with party officers. Nominations for the leadership contest are due to close later today, Friday 30 August.
Mike Nesbitt Remains Only Potential UUP Leader Candidate
Mike Nesbitt remains the only candidate to replace Doug Beattie as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party(UUP). Mr Beattie announced he was stepping down as leader of the party last week, citing "irreconcilable differences" with party officers. Nominations for the leadership contest are due to close later today, Friday 30 August.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.