The future of the devolved administration is in doubt after Sinn Féin accused Edwin Poots of being “disingenuous” on his Irish Language Act promise.
In a briefing yesterday, Sinn Féin said it “does not believe” the new DUP leader’s assurances and that the nomination of a first and deputy first minister will have to be accompanied by progress on a language act.
Arlene Foster will formally resign as First Minister at 1pm today, both parties will then need to re-nominate their respective first and deputy first ministers within seven days.
If one of the parties declines to re-nominate, or if either nomination fails to gain sufficient Assembly support, then a snap election is likely.
A Sinn Féin source told the Press Association it "has scoped out Edwin Poots and the DUP, having had a series of engagements where we’ve talked and listened up until yesterday.
“Our assessment is that he is being disingenuous by saying publicly that he will honour commitments agreed in NDNA (New Decade, New Approach).
“We believe they are acting in bad faith. We do not believe they will deliver on the Irish Language Act.
“Our position is that the nomination for first minister and deputy first minister has to be accompanied by legislation on the Irish language.”
.@edwinpootsmla tells GMU "our community is in a very tense situation, we saw riots earlier this year, I have serious concerns for potential of conflict once again on our streets." He says if SF do not nominate DFM "our very peace is put at risk as a consequence of that action"
— Chris Lindsay (@chrislindsay_) June 14, 2021
The new DUP leader said last week he wished to “expedite” the rollout of all outstanding aspects of the NDNA deal that re-established power sharing in 2020.
This includes a cultural act, with protections for Irish and Ulster Scots.
Responding last night, the DUP said: “No one would forgive Sinn Féin for playing fast and loose with people’s lives in Northern Ireland.
“The DUP leadership stand resolute to enter government, respect power sharing and get on with the job. It is up to others to follow.
“We remain committed to NDNA and want to see it implemented in all its parts”
In other political developments:
• A Down councillor who walked away from the DUP has described Ian Paisley chanting with Van Morrison about the health minister as “stupid”.
• Edwin Poots has sent a copy of the Good Friday Agreement to Emmanuel Macron after it was reported the French President said Northern Ireland is not in the UK.
• Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney said the Irish government was backing a compromise between the EU and UK on food and animal standards which would stop most Irish Sea border checks.
• Taoiseach Micheál Martin said another unilateral extension by the British government would be "very problematic" as Boris Johnson said he would do “whatever it takes.”
• British foreign minister Dominic Raab called for a “little bit of respect” from the EU, saying questioning the north’s place in the UK was “offensive.”
• TUV leader Jim Allister called on the DUP to collapse power sharing in protest at the protocol.
