Stormont resumes after security alert

The Northern Ireland Assembly has today resumed at Stormont after proceedings were suspended on Friday after a security alert prompted by loyalist murderer Michael Stone, who gained access to Parliament Buildings claiming to be carrying a bomb.

Eileen Bell, speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, today said that a review of security at the building has been ordered and that short-term measures had been put in place.

Ms Bell also paid tribute to the efforts made by security staff on Friday afternoon in preventing Michael Stone from entering the main building.

Politicians were today met on arrival by an obvious increase in security including two police officers at the front entrance of Parliament Buildings, and assembly security guards who were also positioned throughout the grounds of the Stormont estate.

Stone appeared in court over the weekend charged with the attempted murder of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness.

The Secretary of State Peter Hain also suspended Stone's early release licence with immediate effect.

Michael Stone previously served a prison term for the murder of three people whom he shot as they attended an IRA funeral at Milltown cemetery in west Belfast in 1988.

He was released from prison under the Good Friday Agreement in July 2000.

During today's meeting, David Ford, leader of the Alliance Party, completed his speech which was interrupted by the security alert on Friday.

UK Unionist leader Robert McCartney also addressed the assembly and called for the DUP leader to clarify his position on his nomination as first minister.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also called on republicans and nationalists to support the process.

(EF/KMcA)