Villier's Accepts It Cannot Be 'Business As Usual' Over PIRA Claims - Dodds

The Secretary of State accepts that it cannot be "business as usual" over claims about the Provisional IRA, according to the deputy leader of the DUP.

Mr Nigel Dodds was speaking after he attended a meeting with Theresa Villier's over the status of the PIRA following the murder of Kevin McGuigan in east Belfast earlier this month.

Mr Dodds has also asked for a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Dodds said: "We are determined that, one way or another, we will have a government in Northern Ireland consisting of people totally committed to peaceful and democratic means only.

"If other parties do not step up to the plate with us, or if the government does not take sufficient action to deal with this matter, then we will bring about the circumstances to create the time and space in which this matter will be resolved."

The Ulster Unionists announced on Wednesday that they plan to withdraw from the Northern Ireland Executive.

SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP said he believes the Ulster Unionists’ decision is a premature action based on incomplete investigations by both the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.

He said: "The full circumstances of the murder of Kevin McGuigan have yet to be established. There is much more detail needed about the nature of the IRA and all its activities. The SDLP continues to pursue further information and analysis from both the PSNI and Gardai.

"The SDLP shares the frustrations and concerns of the Ulster Unionists but we believe their decision today does not help to repair the significant damage caused by the revelation of the existence and continued activity of PIRA.

"The Ulster Unionists' decision does not help to resolve this political crisis within our institutions."

(CD)