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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UUP-PUP link 'against the rules' | UUP-PUP link 'against the rules' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The assembly speaker Eileen Bell has ruled that the assembly link between the UUP and the PUP is contrary to the rules of the assembly. | The assembly speaker Eileen Bell has ruled that the assembly link between the UUP and the PUP is contrary to the rules of the assembly. |
| She said the reason for the ruling was the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Group did not have the characteristics of a party as laid down in legislation. | She said the reason for the ruling was the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Group did not have the characteristics of a party as laid down in legislation. |
| The act she referred to was the Political Parties, elections and Referendums Act 2000. | The act she referred to was the Political Parties, elections and Referendums Act 2000. |
| Mrs Bell said she had sought legal advice ahead of her decision. | Mrs Bell said she had sought legal advice ahead of her decision. |
| She said the UUPAG, which was formed as a result of the alliance, did not have a headquarters, at least one party leader and a scheme for financial support. | She said the UUPAG, which was formed as a result of the alliance, did not have a headquarters, at least one party leader and a scheme for financial support. |
| The Ulster Unionists had came under widespread pressure after allowing PUP leader David Ervine to join their assembly group earlier this year. | The Ulster Unionists had came under widespread pressure after allowing PUP leader David Ervine to join their assembly group earlier this year. |
| 'Negatives' | |
| The PUP is aligned with the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force. | The PUP is aligned with the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force. |
| At the weekend, an Ulster Unionist assembly member said he now believed the party's assembly alliance with the PUP was "untenable". | At the weekend, an Ulster Unionist assembly member said he now believed the party's assembly alliance with the PUP was "untenable". |
| Assembly member Esmond Birnie said the section of the latest IMC report dealing with UVF activity was "grim". | Assembly member Esmond Birnie said the section of the latest IMC report dealing with UVF activity was "grim". |
| He said it contained so many negatives that the link could not be maintained. | He said it contained so many negatives that the link could not be maintained. |
| I think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do Peter Robinson | |
| "I am someone who has said previously that the UUP pact with the PUP would always have to be conditional and subject to rigorous evaluation in the light of events. | "I am someone who has said previously that the UUP pact with the PUP would always have to be conditional and subject to rigorous evaluation in the light of events. |
| "The litany of events over the last four months has been deeply disturbing," Mr Birnie said. | "The litany of events over the last four months has been deeply disturbing," Mr Birnie said. |
| "As it stands at the moment I believe that this report renders the UUP's pact with the PUP untenable." | "As it stands at the moment I believe that this report renders the UUP's pact with the PUP untenable." |
| The party's only MP, Lady Hermon, had previously called for the link to be severed | The party's only MP, Lady Hermon, had previously called for the link to be severed |
| In June, the former Young Unionist chairman Peter Bowles left the UUP in protest at the link. | In June, the former Young Unionist chairman Peter Bowles left the UUP in protest at the link. |
| The Ulster Unionist leadership has said the assembly alliance with the PUP does not represent an arrangement with the UVF. | The Ulster Unionist leadership has said the assembly alliance with the PUP does not represent an arrangement with the UVF. |
| The move was aimed at giving them an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein's expense if a power-sharing executive is formed. | |
| Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said the long-term goal of the link was to end loyalist paramilitarism. | Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said the long-term goal of the link was to end loyalist paramilitarism. |
| The deputy leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, said that the ruling meant that the UUP had been split by the issue, but would gain no advantage in assembly seats. | |
| "I think this is a nightmare of a ruling for the Ulster Unionist Party, when Reg thinks things couldn't possibly get worse they do," he said. |