Ulster Unionist Party Leader Robin Swann MLA, has said that in light of the Department for Infrastructure’s appeal against the ARC21 judgement, the Secretary of State must either provide a pathway to the restoration of the devolved institutions or appoint UK Government Ministers.
Robin Swann MLA said:
“We agree with David Sterling that decisions should be taken by democratically-accountable Ministers. It is now time for Secretary of State Karen Bradley to step in and take a grip of this. It is totally farcical that civil servants are having to challenge a legal decision in order to provide clarity on what decisions they can make as they have been left adrift and without leadership.
“If the Secretary of State cannot provide a clear pathway that sees the devolved institutions restored with local parties at the helm, then she must move to appoint UK Government Ministers.”