McGuinness laments loss of Paisley’s leadership in North

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the late DUP leader Ian Paisley would never have allowed the current political crisis at Stormont to develop.

He said there was up to six weeks to solve the latest impasse, sparked by alleged IRA involvement in the murder of Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan and the ongoing disagreement over welfare reform.

“I have worked in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister for the last eight years, for that first year with Ian Paisley and, God rest him, he will be dead a year tomorrow,” he said.

“Whatever about his past, in that year that I worked with him, he had no doubt about my commitment to peace and democracy and making the process work. And I had no doubt abut his commitment to peace and democracy and making the process work...We need to get back to this spirit.”

Speaking at the Sinn Féin away day in Co Meath on Friday, Mr McGuinness said he was confident the Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party would participate in talks on Monday.

He said he could easily resign and call an election but would not do that. It was his belief the political crisis

He said the DUP, UUP and Sinn Féin should stand together in condemning the murder of Mr McGuigan.

Party leader Gerry Adams said he had grave concerns about the arrest of Sinn Féin Northern Ireland chairman Bobby Storey. Mr Adams said many sections of the media believed Mr Storey was guilty because he was a senior Sinn Féin member.

He said the Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin was so obsessed with Sinn Féin that he called for the suspension of the Assembly.

“I ask you how stupid is that?” he asked.

Mr Adams said his party would not be lectured by opposition parties. “They need to accept Sinn Féin is here and is here to stay.”

Mr McGuinness said it is time for the North’s parties to roll up their sleeves and implement the Stormont House Agreement.

The Deputy First Minister said he wanted Mike Nesbitt, leader of the UUP and Peter Robinson of the DUP to stand with him to work through the difficulties.

“Party leaders need to stand together against criminality and murder in our society,” he said.

“My track record in doing that eight years as Deputy First Minister is second to no other Minister in that executive. I have stood with Peter Robinson, the Chief Constable of the PSNI when two soldiers were murdered at Antrim. I stood with them whenever Constable Stephen Carroll and Constable Ronan Kerr were murdered. I stood with them when prison officer David Black was murdered. I have spoken out even against the backdrop of my life being threatened by violent dissident Republicans.

He added: “I do take exception and I do took umbrage at thoe who call into question my commitment to peace and democracy. The evidence is there for all to see.”