MEP quits over power-sharing plans

Democratic Unionist Party MEP Jim Allister has announced his resignation today.

Mr Allister, a fierce critic of the plans for the DUP to power-share with Sinn Fein, has made the announcement at a news conference in east Belfast.

“It is with immense sadness that I must resign from the DUP,” he said.

“To continue as the DUP's MEP, it would be my obligation to accept the party executive policy to usher Sinn Fein into government in a few short weeks.

“This, in conscience, I cannot do. Thus, I must resign from the DUP.”

Yesterday, DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams secured an agreement for a new power-sharing government at Stormont on May 8.

But Mr Allister was the only one of the 16 senior DUP party officers to vote against the leadership resolution.

The QC has been an MEP since 2004. He previously left politics in 1987 following a disagreement with his leader’s tactics after the Anglo-Irish agreement.

Ballymena DUP councillor Sam Gaston has also stepped down from the party.

He said six weeks was not long enough for republicans to prove themselves.

“I think they have gone into government too quickly,” Mr Gaston said.

“I think those people who have suffered deserve that we don’t have unrepentent terrorists in government.”

Meanwhile, an emergency legislation is set to be rushed through Parliament to give effect to the delayed power-sharing deal.

Commons leader Jack Straw has confirmed MPs and peers will be asked to back the amended bill, which will allow devolution to be delayed by six weeks, due to "exceptional circumstances."

It is understood the bill may be passed by midnight tonight.

(JM/SP)