I wholeheartedly support Nelson McCausland’s right to say what he did in the Assembly on Monday 10th. It seems a strange view by the Speaker of what is unparliamentary language when he rules that because Adams (who, of course, would have us believe he never even belonged to the IRA) denied allegations, then they must be withdrawn. What sort of cosset chamber for Sinn Fein is Speaker Hay creating?

However, while Mr McCausland was prepared to be excluded from the Assembly for a day he was not prepared to denounce the DUP’s alliance with Adams’ party.

The question for Mr McCausland and indeed his fellow MLAs who applauded him this morning is why they continue to sustain the party of Adams, Sinn Fein/IRA, in government. If the DUP genuinely believe what Mr McCausland says why are they in coalition with them? Today’s events are mere bluster and empty grandstanding unless the DUP are prepared to walk away from the failed and dysfunctional executive which they continue to prop up..