Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has given his reaction to comments by the Attorney General John Larkin.
The Strangford MLA said:
"I am surprised at the archive interview where the Attorney General says that ‘if one is prepared to contemplate ending the life of a disabled child in the womb, one should be prepared to contemplate putting a bullet in the back of its head two days after it is born.'
This enforces the need for clarity regarding the role of the Attorney General. It is my understanding that he offers legal advice on devolved issues to the Executive. He is not employed to advise the Assembly.
On that basis, I am disturbed and puzzled at his offer to embed himself with the Assembly’s Justice Committee to the point where he saw a role for himself interviewing witnesses on its behalf. That is the role of an MLA. Of course Mr Larkin is free to stand for Election at which point he would be free to comment on legal, moral and political issues."